The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in Reducing Social Anxiety
Disciplines
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is identified as a mental health disorder that causes intense fear of social or performance situations and is among the most prevalent of anxiety disorders in adolescents. Currently, standard practice for SAD involves pharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This proposal will explore the effectiveness of mindfulness techniques in mitigating anxiety and fear experienced by adolescent patients diagnosed with SAD. Current research shows that anxiety and fear can be reduced by implementing mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) such as mindful breathing, meditation, yoga, imagery, and journaling. To ensure accurate and objective information, we will focus on adolescent and young adult patients aged 13-21 years who have a primary diagnosis of social anxiety according to the DSM-V criteria. We will include only patients who have no history of any other psychiatric disorder. We will record patient reports of anxiety or fear prior to MBI as well as anxiety after the first and second treatment and after a six month follow up. Outcome measurement will be assessed by using the 24-item Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the 20-item Social Phobia Scale (SPS) and the 19-item Social Interaction Scale (SIAS). We will then analyze the data to determine if MBI alone provides the most reduction in anxiety and fear. The proposal will be considered successful if MBI, compared with pharmacological and CBT, results in a significant reduction of anxiety and fear.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
College of Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Christie Emerson
Additional Faculty
Kristi Brannen, Nursing, kbrannen@kennesaw.edu
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in Reducing Social Anxiety
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is identified as a mental health disorder that causes intense fear of social or performance situations and is among the most prevalent of anxiety disorders in adolescents. Currently, standard practice for SAD involves pharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This proposal will explore the effectiveness of mindfulness techniques in mitigating anxiety and fear experienced by adolescent patients diagnosed with SAD. Current research shows that anxiety and fear can be reduced by implementing mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) such as mindful breathing, meditation, yoga, imagery, and journaling. To ensure accurate and objective information, we will focus on adolescent and young adult patients aged 13-21 years who have a primary diagnosis of social anxiety according to the DSM-V criteria. We will include only patients who have no history of any other psychiatric disorder. We will record patient reports of anxiety or fear prior to MBI as well as anxiety after the first and second treatment and after a six month follow up. Outcome measurement will be assessed by using the 24-item Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the 20-item Social Phobia Scale (SPS) and the 19-item Social Interaction Scale (SIAS). We will then analyze the data to determine if MBI alone provides the most reduction in anxiety and fear. The proposal will be considered successful if MBI, compared with pharmacological and CBT, results in a significant reduction of anxiety and fear.