A Comparison of the Impact of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the Emotional Regulation and Self-Efficacy of Women with Social Anxiety

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on emotional regulation and self-efficacy of women with social anxiety in Tehran, Iran. This is an experimental research work with a posttest-pretest design, two experimental groups and a control group, and 3-month follow-up. The statistical population included about 1000 women aged 25-25 with social anxiety who had referred to health houses in Tehran in 2016-2017. Using cluster sampling and considering the cut-off score of the questionnaires, entry and exit criteria, and the structured interviews for the definitive diagnosis of social anxiety, 45 women were selected and randomly assigned to three groups (cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance therapy, and commitment and control). The data collection instruments were a structured interview, the Connor Social Anxiety Inventory (2000), the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (2001), and the Scherer Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (1982). Each experimental group received twelve sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy treatment. The data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. The results showed that both therapies were effective in improving emotional regulation and self-efficacy (p<0.01); however, acceptance and commitment therapy was more effective than cognitive-behavioral therapy in enhancing emotional regulation and self-efficacy in posttest and follow-up stages (p<0.01). Therefore, acceptance and commitment therapy highly helped to improve the psychological problems and mental health of women.