Increasing the Efficacy of Treatment for Socially Anxious Youth Through Theoretically Derived Improvements: A Pilot Study

Editorial: Treating Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Young People: Challenges and Opportunities

In this issue of the Journal, Rapee et al.1 report a rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing transdiagnostic treatment and specialized social anxiety treatment for children and young people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). The study is a welcome addition to the literature that highlights the need to renew our efforts to improve understanding and treatment of SAD in childhood.

Comparison of Transdiagnostic Treatment and Specialized Social Anxiety Treatment for Children and Adolescents With Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Pediatric social anxiety disorder consistently shows the poorest treatment response of all anxiety disorders. The current study compared a generic cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for pediatric anxiety against a modified (social anxiety) treatment that incorporated specific components to target theoretically important maintaining processes.

METHOD

A total of 200 children and adolescents (mean age = 9.5 years, SD = 2.2 years; 47% boys) diagnosed with social anxiety disorder as either their principal or additional disorder were randomly allocated to either the generic or the modified treatment. Both treatments were based on a manualized, empirically validated program (Cool Kids) and comprised 10 sessions over 12 weeks. Assessments comprised structured diagnostic interview and parent and youth reports, and covered diagnoses, symptoms, life impairment, and assessment of maintaining processes at post-treatment and 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The treatments did not differ significantly on the primary outcome (remission of social anxiety disorder) at either post-treatment (remission in generic = 41%; modified = 44%) or follow-up (remission in generic = 51%; modified = 69%), although the latter approached significance (p = .08). They also did not differ at either time point on most secondary measures of outcome. The only maintaining process that changed more under modified treatment was attention to the current task.

CONCLUSION

Despite some positive hints in the data, there was little evidence that the modified intervention significantly improved treatment of pediatric social anxiety disorder, despite incorporating strategies to address putative maintaining mechanisms. The similar improvement between treatments on most maintaining processes suggests that new and innovative strategies may be needed to better target these processes.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Socially Anxious Youth; https://www.anzctr.org.au/; 12616001065482.