Comparing the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Paradoxical Timetable Therapy on Worry in Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Social anxiety disorder is a debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by persistent fear in social situations. Individuals with this disorder fear negative evaluation by others and experience significant worry. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and paradoxical timetable therapy (PTT) on worry in individuals with social anxiety disorder.Methods: This applied study employed a single-case experimental design with an ABA framework. The statistical population included undergraduate psychology students with social anxiety disorder symptoms at Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad Branch during the 2022-2023 academic year. Six participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two intervention groups (PTC, ACT) and one control group. The experimental groups received ACT and PTT in 12 weekly 90-minute sessions over 12 weeks. The follow-up assessments were conducted at one month and two months post-intervention. The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and Social Anxiety Questionnaire (SAQ) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using single-subject analysis, including visual analysis of charts, trend indices, stability, percentage of non-overlapping data (PND), percentage of overlapping data, and recovery percentage. The percentage of non-comprehensive data (PND) was used for statistical significance.Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the effect of ACT and PTT on worry levels in individuals with social anxiety disorder (P<0.001). ACT was more effective than PTT in reducing worry, and its effects remained stable during the follow-up period.Conclusion: It can be concluded that ACT, utilizing six core processes—psychological acceptance, cognitive defusion, self-as-context, present-moment awareness, values clarification, and committed action—can be prioritized as a therapeutic approach for individuals with social anxiety disorder.

Keywords

• psychology؛ acceptance and commitment therapy؛ generalized anxiety disorder؛ phobia
• social؛ paradox therapy