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Social anxiety in young people with first-episode psychosis : Pilot study of the EMBRACE moderated online social intervention
McEnery, Carla Lim, Michelle H. Knowles, Ann Rice, Simon Gleeson, John Howell, Simmone Russon, Penni Miles, Chris D'Alfonso, Simon Alvarez-Jimenez, Mario
McEnery, Carla
Lim, Michelle H.
Knowles, Ann
Rice, Simon
Gleeson, John
Howell, Simmone
Russon, Penni
Miles, Chris
D'Alfonso, Simon
Alvarez-Jimenez, Mario
Abstract
Aim
We conducted a single-group pilot study to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and safety of a novel online intervention (entitled EMBRACE) that includes expert and peer moderation, therapeutic comics and social networking features. The cognitive-behavioural-based intervention was specifically designed to treat social anxiety as a primary treatment target in youth with first-episode psychosis (FEP).
Methods
The 10 participants (17-26 years; Mage = 23 years) had a diagnosis of FEP and experienced significant levels of social anxiety as defined by exceeding a sub-threshold clinical score (>30) on the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS). They had access to the EMBRACE intervention for 2 months.
Results
In total, seven out of ten participants completed eight modules or more (total of 12 modules). All participants rated the intervention as positive and safe, and endorsed recommending it to others who experience social anxiety. Improvement in pre-post social anxiety symptoms, as measured via the SIAS (d = −1.70, P = .0005) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (d = −1.35, P = .002) were found. No statistically significant pre-post improvements were found for depressive or loneliness symptoms.
Conclusion
EMBRACE was shown to be a feasible, acceptable, and safe online intervention to specifically target social anxiety as a primary treatment concern in young people with FEP.
Keywords
cognitive-behavioural therapy, internet, online, psychosis, social anxiety
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Early Intervention in Psychiatry
Book
Volume
15
Issue
1
Page Range
76-86
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled