The moderating effects of anger suppression and anger expression on cognitive behavioral group therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction among individuals with social anxiety disorder.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the outcomes of cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for social anxiety disorder (SAD), specifically examining whether anger suppression and expression moderated treatment effects.
Results Summary
Higher anger suppression was associated with greater social anxiety reduction in CBGT compared to MBSR post-treatment, while higher anger expression was linked to lesser reduction in social anxiety in MBSR but not CBGT during follow-up.
Population
108 participants with social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Post-treatment and 12-month follow-up
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) | decrease | social anxiety | participants with SAD | - | significantly greater reduction | #1 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | social anxiety | participants with SAD | - | lesser reduction | #2 |
BACKGROUND: . Cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) are two prominent evidence-based treatments for social anxiety disorder (SAD). It is not clear, however, whether outcomes of these two treatments are moderated by similar factors. For example, whereas anger suppression and anger expression each predict outcomes in cognitive- behavioral group therapy (CBGT), it is unknown whether they differentially influence outcomes in CBGT versus MBSR. METHODS: . One hundred eight participants with SAD were randomized to CBGT, MBSR or Waitlist (WL). WL participants were later randomized to CBGT or MBSR, and their data were combined with data from those originally randomized to CBGT or MBSR. Anger suppression and anger expression were assessed at pre-treatment, and social anxiety was assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and every 3 months throughout a 12-month follow-up period. RESULTS: . From pre- to post-treatment, higher anger suppression was associated with significantly greater reduction in social anxiety in CBGT compared with MBSR. From post-treatment through follow-up, higher anger expression was associated lesser reduction in social anxiety in MBSR but not in CBGT. LIMITATIONS: . Data are limited by sole reliance on self-report and it is unclear whether these findings generalize beyond group-based interventions. CONCLUSIONS: . Individuals with SAD who are higher in anger suppression and/or expression might be better suited to CBGT than MBSR.