The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Iranian Female Adolescents Suffering From Social Anxiety.
Shima Ebrahiminejad, Hamid Poursharifi, Abbas Bakhshiour Roodsari, Zahra Zeinodini, Simasadat Noorbakhsh
Iranian Red Crescent medical journal November 2016 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.25116 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Semi-experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Female high school students in Tehran diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (DSM-5 criteria) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | Eight sessions |
| Measures | Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) |
| Topics | Meditation Anxiety |
| Keywords | Cognitive therapy Female Phobic disorders Self-esteem |
| Key findings | The experimental group showed statistically reliable pre-to-post changes on the Social Phobia Inventory and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, while the control group did not. The authors conclude that MBCT is effective for improving self-esteem and decreasing social anxiety in female adolescents with social anxiety, consistent with prior studies in adolescents. |
Abstract
Social anxiety is one of the most common psychological disorders that exists among children and adolescents, and it has profound effects on their psychological states and academic achievements. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on diminishing social anxiety disorder symptoms and improving the self-esteem of female adolescents suffering from social anxiety. Semi-experimental research was conducted on 30 female students diagnosed with social anxiety. From the population of female students who were studying in Tehran's high schools in the academic year of 2013 - 2014, 30 students fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria were selected using the convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The experimental group received eight sessions of MBCT treatment. The control group received no treatment. All participants completed the social phobia inventory (SPIN) and Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES) twice as pre- and post-treatment tests. The results from the experimental group indicated a statistically reliable difference between the mean scores from SPIN (t (11) = 5.246, P = 0.000) and RSES (t (11) = -2.326, P = 0.040) pre-treatment and post-treatment. On the other hand, the results of the control group failed to reveal a statistically reliable difference between the mean scores from SPIN (t (12) = 1.089, P = 0.297) and RSES pre-treatment and post-treatment (t (12) = 1.089, P = 0.000). The results indicate that MBCT is effective on both the improvement of self-esteem and the decrease of social anxiety. The results are in accordance with prior studies performed on adolescents.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- In-Person Versus eHealth Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Adolescents With Chronic Illness: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Research Protocols November 27, 2017
- Mindfulness based interventions for depression and anxiety in Asian Population: A systematic review Journal of Psychiatrists Association of Nepal June 28, 2018
- Effectiveness and satisfaction of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children on anxiety, depression, and internet addiction in adolescents: Study protocol for a randomized control trial. PLoS One 2025
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Children And Adolescent: A Systematic Review Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry April 15, 2026
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Interventions versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Social Anxiety of Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Acta medica Philippina January 31, 2025
and 5 more in the library
Cites 10
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- A Preliminary Study: Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy versus Sertraline as First-line Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder. Mindfulness June 1, 2015
- Increased mindfulness--the active component of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program? Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice February 1, 2011
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