An evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of a group based cognitive behavioural treatment for individuals with social anxiety disorder and an exploration of the moderators & mediators that influence treatment outcomes
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MC CARTHY, ODHRAN, An evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of a group based cognitive behavioural treatment for individuals with social anxiety disorder and an exploration of the moderators & mediators that influence treatment outcomes, Trinity College Dublin.School of Psychology, 2019Abstract:
Relatively few studies on social anxiety disorder have addressed the issue of moderators and mediators of treatment outcome. This thesis had several aims. The first was to evaluate the effectiveness of an Irish community-based CBGT intervention, based on Clark and Wells? (1995) model, in reducing symptoms and problem areas associated with SAD. The second aim had two elements. The first element was to evaluate the potential moderating influence of trait anger, alexithymia and fear of positive evaluation on the therapeutic progress made by participants attending a CBGT for SAD programme. The second element was to to explore the potential mediating role of safety behaviours and internal shame in terms of social anxiety outcome measures in the same programme. A randomized control designed was used to assess changes in standardized psychological measures of social anxiety. Outcome effectiveness was analysed using the General Linear Model - repeated measures design via ITT analysis. The impact of moderator and mediator variables was determined using a series of regression models by means of the PROCESS macros for SPSS. Large treatment effects sizes at post-intervention were achieved on all outcome measures following CBGT for SAD. Trait anger, alexithymia and fear of positive evaluation demonstrated no moderating effects on any of the outcome measures, with a few exceptions. Robust significant mediating effects on all outcome measure were detected for internal shame and safety behaviours. CBGT is an effective intervention in the long-term in a routine clinical setting and should be considered a viable treatment option for SAD. Individual CBT can be translated successfully into a group format for social anxiety. Internal shame and safety behaviours play a significant mediating role in CBGT outcomes. Recommendations for future research, treatment implications and study limitations are considered.
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https://tcdlocalportal.tcd.ie/pls/EnterApex/f?p=800:71:0::::P71_USERNAME:MCCARTO5Description:
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Author: MC CARTHY, ODHRAN
Advisor:
Hevey, DavidPublisher:
Trinity College Dublin. School of Psychology. Discipline of PsychologyType of material:
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