An open trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for young adults with social anxiety disorder.
Aslak Hjeltnes, Helge Molde, Elisabeth Schanche, Jon Vøllestad, Julie Lillebostad Svendsen, Christian Moltu, Per-Einar Binder
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology February 2017 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12342 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 53 |
| Population | Young adults in a higher education setting with a social anxiety disorder |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Eight-week program |
| Topics | Meditation Anxiety |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Self-compassion Social anxiety disorder Young adults |
| Key findings | Participants reported significant reductions in social anxiety symptoms and global psychological distress and increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and self-esteem after the MBSR program. Intention-to-treat effect sizes were moderate to large for social anxiety symptoms (d = 0.80) and global psychological distress (d = 0.61), with the largest effects for self-compassion (d = 1.49) and mindfulness (d = 1.35). The authors suggest MBSR may be a beneficial intervention for young adults in higher education with social anxiety disorder. |
Abstract
The present study investigated mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for young adults with a social anxiety disorder (SAD) in an open trial. Fifty-three young adults in a higher education setting underwent a standard eight-week MBSR program. Eight participants (15%) did not complete the program. Participants reported significant reductions in SAD symptoms and global psychological distress, as well as increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and self-esteem. Using intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses, effect sizes ranged from large to moderate for SAD symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.80) and global psychological distress (d = 0.61). Completer analyses yielded large effect sizes for SAD symptoms (d = 0.96) and global psychological distress (d = 0.81). The largest effect sizes were found for self-compassion (d = 1.49) and mindfulness (d = 1.35). Two thirds of the participants who were in the clinical range at pretreatment reported either clinically significant change (37%) or reliable improvement (31%) on SAD symptoms after completing the MBSR program, and almost two thirds reported either clinically significant change (37%) or reliable improvement (26%) on global psychological distress. MBSR may be a beneficial intervention for young adults in higher education with SAD, and there is a need for more research on mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions for SAD.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
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- Comparison of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Reducing Anxiety Symptoms Women’s Health Bulletin July 28, 2018
- Learning to be mindful ─ experiences of mindfulness-based stress reduction for young adults with moderate to severe mental disorders. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies October 1, 2024
- Examining the implementation of a mindfulness-based intervention for anxiety: A mixed-method, single-case study investigation Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi March 10, 2026
and 6 more in the library
Cites 15
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- Both sides of the story: Exploring how improved and less-improved participants experience mindfulness-based stress reduction for social anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy Research January 2018
and 10 more in the library