Evidence-based Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder

This study aimed to identify evidence-based treatments of social anxiety disorder to be used with Korean populations. To achieve this purpose, we first reviewed the clinical features of social anxiety disorder and research on evidence-based treatments (EBTs) conducted abroad. Then, we identified EBTs for use with Korean populations through the systematic review and meta-analysis of social anxiety treatment studies conducted in Korea. Thirty-three domestic social anxiety treatment studies published in academic journals between 2000 and 2017 were systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed. All studies reviewed were characterized by randomized controlled trials or controlled trials at least and included the adequate statistics needed for the calculation of effect sizes (ESs). The ESs of each of the social anxiety treatments on social anxiety outcomes, other-related outcomes, and overall outcomes were calculated for both the adult and adolescent/child groups. The analyses found that all the treatment types reviewed demonstrated large effect sizes on social anxiety and related outcomes. The analyses also found cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) in adults and CBT and CBT combined with social skills training in adolescents and children to be well-established EBT for social anxiety disorder. The clinical implications of the research findings were discussed, and recommendations for the potential users were made.