Randomized-controlled efficacy trial of an online-intervention for prevention and treatment of social anxiety in adolescents
What's this study about?
Every 15th adolescent in Europe suffers from social anxiety. At the University of Bern, we developed the online-program SOPHIE for prevention and treatment of social anxiety in adolescents. In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy of the online-program and its mechanisms of change. We intend to recruit about 220 adolescents between 2021 and 2023.
What does participation involve?
For the participants, the study lasts five months and includes two telephone interviews, online questionnaires and smartphone surveys. By participating, the adolescent gains access to the online-program.To investigate the efficacy, the participants are randomly divided into two groups. One group gets access to the online-program directly, the other group after five months.
Who can participate?
Adolescents (11-17 years) living in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein who suffer from social anxiety can participate. People suffering from social anxiety experience an uncomfortable or anxious feeling in groups of people or in situations where one is being evaluated.
Why should one participate?
The participants have no direct benefit from taking part in the study, but they are given access to the online-program. SOPHIE can help them to improve their understanding of social anxiety, to deal with these feelings and to feel more comfortable in social situations. Participation also contributes to improve the online-program and to provide better support for young people with social anxiety in the future.
What were the results?
Our study shows that the online program SOPHIE can help adolescents with social anxiety - particularly those whose fears in social situations are not yet very severe. Three months after completing the SOPHIE-program, the adolescents reported significantly lower levels of social anxiety compared to those who had not participated in the program (control group). Their social life also improved: they felt more comfortable among friends and were able to build closer relationships. The participants found the SOPHIE program helpful and easy to understand, although some exercises, such as the ”dares”, were experienced as challenging. Adolescents with more pronounced anxiety benefited less than those with milder symptoms, suggesting that they might require additional, more intensive support. Overall, the study shows that online interventions like the SOPHIE-program can offer a valuable and easily accessible way to reduce social anxiety at an early stage.
