Introduction

Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are at elevated risk of loneliness, yet little research has examined loneliness in this population. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have demonstrated efficacy in treating SAD, yet research has not examined whether they lead to reductions in loneliness.

Methods

This sample comprised 108 individuals with SAD who were randomized to CBGT, MBSR, or a waitlist control (WL); WL participants were re-randomized to CBGT or MBSR following WL. Assessments were completed pre- and post-treatment, and 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up assessments.

Results

Compared to WL, individuals in CBGT and MBSR were less lonely at post-treatment; there was no difference between treatments after treatment or during follow-up. Greater reductions in social anxiety from pre- to post-treatment predicted lower levels of loneliness during follow-up. Greater reductions in loneliness from pre- to post-treatment also predicted lower levels of social anxiety during follow-up.

Discussion

Individuals who experience reductions in their social anxiety during treatment may also feel less lonely following treatment. Reductions in loneliness also lead to improvements in social anxiety. Future research should continue to examine the relationship between social anxiety and loneliness and how interventions for SAD may help reduce loneliness.

中文翻译：

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治疗期间社交焦虑的减少预示着社交焦虑症患者在随访期间的孤独感降低

介绍

患有社交焦虑症 (SAD) 的人孤独感的风险较高，但很少有研究检查过这一人群的孤独感。认知行为团体疗法 (CBGT) 和正念减压 (MBSR) 已证明对治疗 SAD 有效，但研究尚未检验它们是否会减少孤独感。

方法

该样本包括 108 名 SAD 患者，他们被随机分配到 CBGT、MBSR 或候补名单对照 (WL)；WL 参与者在 WL 后被重新随机分配到 CBGT 或 MBSR。评估是在治疗前和治疗后完成的，以及 3、6、9 和 12 个月的随访评估。

结果

与 WL 相比，CBGT 和 MBSR 患者在治疗后的孤独感较低；治疗后或随访期间的治疗没有差异。从治疗前到治疗后，社交焦虑的大幅减少预示着随访期间的孤独感水平较低。从治疗前到治疗后，孤独感的减少也预示着随访期间的社交焦虑水平较低。

讨论

在治疗期间社交焦虑减少的人在治疗后也可能会感到不那么孤独。减少孤独感也会改善社交焦虑。未来的研究应该继续研究社交焦虑和孤独感之间的关系，以及 SAD 的干预措施如何有助于减少孤独感。