Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Psychodrama Group Therapy in Treating Self-Focused Attention and Social Anxiety of Adolescent Girls: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to assess the effects of cognitive-behavioral psychodrama group therapy (CBPGT) on self-focused attention and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescent girls. Methods This is a randomized controlled clinical trial with a pre-test, post-test/follow-up design. The study population includes all 9th-grade girls referred to health centers in Sirjan, Iran, in 2022. After screening using Puklek’s social anxiety scale for adolescents, Woody and Chambless’ focus of attention questionnaire, and a clinical interview based on the DSM-5 criteria, 24 girls were selected and randomly divided into two intervention (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. After the pre-test assessments, the intervention group received CBPGT at nine sessions of 120 minutes. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS software, version 24. Results CBPGT significantly reduced self-focused attention and SAD in adolescent girls at the post-test and one-month follow-up phases (P<0.05). Conclusion CBPGT is effective in the treatment of SAD and self-focused attention in female adolescents in Iran. Its effectiveness can be maintained for one month. It is recommended that CBPGT be used in the treatment of SAD due to its focus on both the theatrical and cognitive aspects of this disorder.