The effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy based group intervention programs on Social Anxiety Disorder

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT) based group interventions on social anxiety disorder (SAD) and some variables thought to be related to this disorder. In the study, a 3x3 mixed design including two experimental groups, one control group; pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measurements was used. Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Processes, Flourishing Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (Form A) - 17, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire, Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form, Brief Version of Negative Evaluation Scale, and Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale were used as data measurement tools. A total of 33 participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to ACT, CBT, and control groups as 11 participants each. An 8-week intervention program was applied to the participants in the ACT and CBT groups. No treatment was applied to the control group. According to the findings obtained from the study, participants in the ACT group had decreased levels of SAD, psychological distress, and rumination, and increased levels of psychological well-being and self-compassion. On the other hand, participants in the CBT group had decreased levels of SAD, psychological distress, experiential avoidance, fear of negative evaluation, dysfunctional attitudes, and negative automatic thoughts, and increased levels of positive affect and self-compassion. The findings of the present study provide evidence that the ACT approach can be as effective as CBT in the treatment of SAD and that psychotherapy interventions can be selected in accordance with the client's individual formulation. The findings of the study are discussed in the context of the literature. Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, group intervention program, social anxiety disorder