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Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural group therapy for social anxiety disorder: long-term benefits and aftercare

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2019

Ciara Fogarty ,
David Hevey  and
Odhrán McCarthy
Ciara Fogarty*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
David Hevey
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Odhrán McCarthy
Affiliation:
Social Anxiety Ireland, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, Ireland
*
*Corresponding author. Email: fogartcc@tcd.ie
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Abstract

Background:

Empirical research demonstrates the short- to medium-term efficacy and effectiveness of cognitive behavioural group therapy (CBGT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Little is known about the durability of gains beyond 1 year following treatment in real-life clinical settings. Literature regarding the impact of aftercare programs as an adjunct to CBGT treatment on SAD is scarce.

Aims:

To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of CBGT for SAD in a community sample and to explore the relationship between long-term treatment outcomes and aftercare support group attendance.

Method:

A longitudinal cohort design evaluated changes in standardized psychological measures assessing aspects of SAD, anxiety and depression. Questionnaires were completed before the program (time 1, N = 457), after the program (time 2, n = 369) and at an average of 4.6 years follow-up (time 3, n = 138).

Results:

Large treatment effect sizes at post-intervention were maintained at long-term follow-up on measures of SAD, anxiety and depression. There was no statistically significant relationship between frequency of attendance at an aftercare support group and degree of improvement from post-treatment severity on any measure.

Conclusions:

CBGT is an effective intervention in the long-term in a routine clinical setting and should be considered a viable treatment option for SAD. Recommendations for future research, treatment implications and study limitations are considered.

Keywords

aftercarecognitive behavioural group therapylong-term effectivenesssocial anxiety disorder
Type
Empirically Grounded Clinical Interventions
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 47 , Issue 5 , September 2019 , pp. 501 - 513
Copyright
© British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2019 

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