A disorder-specific group cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder in adolescents: study protocol for a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Abstract Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common disorder in adolescence associated with extensive distress and long-term impairment. Generic cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) programs for anxiety disorders have shown poorer outcomes for adolescents with SAD than for other anxiety disorders. Aim The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of a disorder-specific group cognitive behavior therapy (G-CBT) program for youth SAD, the Cool Kids Anxiety Program - Social Enhanced (CK-E), developed at Macquarie University, Sidney, Australia. Methods The study is a randomized controlled trial comparing CK-E to a generic G-CBT program for anxiety disorders. Approximately 96 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years are included with data points at pre- and post-treatment, and at 3 months and 1 year follow-ups. Discussion The current study will provide more information about the efficacy of diagnosis-specific G-CBT treatment for youth SAD. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03986827. Registered on 14 June 2019.

Keywords

• Anxiety
• Social anxiety disorder
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Randomized controlled trial
• Adolescents