The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Self-Esteem Group Training on Social Anxiety and Mental Health in Social Anxious Adolescent

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral self-esteem group training on social anxiety، and mental health in socially anxious high school boys in the academic year 2010–11. The research method was experimental with two group''s pretest-posttest design. The subjects of this study were third and second grade high school boys in Darreh Shahr town. 240 students were selected randomly، and then after the first administration of Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)، 30 students with the highest scores were selected and randomly assigned to an experimental (15 persons) and a control group (15 persons). The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) (Connor، Davidson، Churchill، Sherwood، Foa، 2000) and General health questionnaire (Goldberg & Hillier، 1979) were administered as pretest to all participants. The experimental group received cognitive-behavioral self-esteem group training through thirteen half hour session twice a week. During this period no intervention was given to the control group. Both questionnaires were administered again as the post test. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean scores of social anxiety in experimental group improved significantly after receiving self-esteem group training compared to their pre-test scores and the control group (p<0. 001، Z=-3. 14). Also Mann-Whitney test showed a significant difference in all subscales of mental health except somatic symptoms post-test scores in both the experimental and control groups (p<0. 05، Z=-3. 05). The Findings of this study revealed that cognitive-behavioral self-esteem group training can be considered as a significant and effective method in increasing mental health and reducing social anxiety.