Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy−Based Massed Brief Psychoeducational Group via Videoconference for Social Anxiety: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), delivered through weekly videoconference sessions, has been shown to effectively reduce social anxiety. However, no studies have evaluated CBT delivered via videoconference in a 2-day massed brief psychoeducational group format. Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a videoconferencing CBT−based massed brief psychoeducational group among Chinese university students with social anxiety. Methods: University students with social anxiety were recruited online and randomly assigned to an intervention group or a waitlist control group. Participants in the intervention group attended a 2-day workshop via videoconference. Assessments were conducted at baseline (T1), posttest (T2), 1-month follow-up (T3), and 3-month follow-up (T4), using the Social Phobia Inventory, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–Short Form, Social Anxiety Knowledge Test, Social Anxiety Stigma Inventory, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale–Short Form. Results: The intervention group showed significant reductions in Social Phobia Inventory scores (β=−4.00, 95% bootstrap CI −6.55 to −1.22; dT2-4=−0.97 to −0.81) and Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale scores (β=−1.37, 95% bootstrap CI −2.64 to −0.08; dT3=−0.56), as well as significant increases in Social Anxiety Knowledge Test scores (β=.62, 95% bootstrap CI 0.05-1.17; dT2-4=0.86-1.53). No significant changes were observed in Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–Short Form, Social Anxiety Stigma Inventory, or Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale–Short Form scores. Conclusions: The findings indicate that videoconferencing CBT−based massed brief psychoeducational group was effective in reducing social anxiety among university students. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to validate the efficacy and assess the scalability of this intervention format.