]>
IRCT20250421065429N1 IRCT 2026-06-24 Islamic Azad University The Effect of Group Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling on Reducing Stress, Increasing Uncertainty Tolerance, and Reducing Negative Repetitive Thoughts in University Students with Social Anxiety Investigating the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Perceived Stress, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Mental Rumination in University Students with Social Anxiety Disorder 2026-07-11 anticipated 30 Recruiting https://irct.ir/trial/90540 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Not blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Supportive, Randomization description: After screening students using the Social Anxiety Questionnaire among undergraduate and graduate students of Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch (11,274 students) between 2025/04/20 and 2025/06/09, 30 students who obtained the highest scores in social anxiety and met the inclusion criteria were selected. These participants were then assigned to two groups, an experimental group (15 participants) and a control group (15 participants), using a simple randomization method with the help of statistical software. The unit of randomization was the individual participant. To reduce selection bias, the selected participants were first coded and then allocated to the two groups according to a randomly generated sequence. N/A Social Anxiety (Social Phobia) in University Students. Intervention 1: Intervention group: Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy based on the standard and specific protocol for Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia), consisting of 12 sessions of 90 minutes each, delivered in a group format (each group consisting of 8 to 12 participants). Sessions are held weekly for 12 consecutive weeks.Content of treatment sessions includes: Sessions 1 to 3 (Introduction and Psychoeducation): Familiarization of members with each other, establishing therapeutic alliance, teaching the cognitive-behavioral model of social anxiety, identifying and recording negative automatic thoughts in social situations Sessions 4 to 6 (Cognitive Restructuring): Teaching the identification of cognitive errors (such as catastrophizing, overgeneralization, mind reading), challenging maladaptive beliefs related to negative evaluation by others, replacing negative thoughts with balanced and realistic thoughts Sessions 7 to 10 (Social Skills Training and Exposure): Teaching effective communication skills (initiating and maintaining conversation, assertiveness, active listening), gradual in-session exposure to feared social situations (such as public speaking, talking to strangers, expressing opinions in groups), and practicing deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to manage physiological symptoms of anxiety Sessions 11 to 12 (Consolidation and Relapse Prevention): Review of learned skills, planning for independent exposure in natural environments, identifying signs of relapse risk, and developing strategies to prevent symptom recurrenceNumber of sessions: 12 sessionsDuration of each session: 90 minutesFrequency: One session per weekTotal intervention duration: 12 weeksMethod of delivery: Group-based (8 to 12 participants per group) and in-person. Intervention 2: Control group: The control group is placed on a waiting list and receives no psychological or pharmacological intervention during the study period. Participants in this group are assessed at the same time points as the intervention group (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up). After the completion of the treatment period for the intervention group and the post-test and follow-up assessments, the same cognitive-behavioral therapy program will be offered free of charge to the control group members if they wish. No - There is not a plan to make this available Justification or reason for not sharing IPD is Lack of participant consent
public Maryam Foolad
ایران، آمل، خیابان جاده قدیم آمل به بابل، نرسیده به روستای کمدره، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد آیت اله آملی
Amol Iran (Islamic Republic of) 4815985834 +98 11 4321 7035 dr.maryam.foolad@gmail.com Islamic Azad University scientific Maryam Foolad
ایران، آمل، خیابان جاده قدیم آمل به بابل، نرسیده به روستای کمدره، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد آیت اله آملی
Amol Iran (Islamic Republic of) 4815985834 +98 11 4321 7035 dr.maryam.foolad@gmail.com Islamic Azad University Iran (Islamic Republic of) Students aged 20-40 years from Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch Score ≥ 19 on the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) Having at least a high school diploma (ability to read and write) Providing written informed consent to participate in the study 20 years 40 years Both Comorbid acute psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, or substance use disorder) Concurrent receipt of any other psychological treatment History of seizures, epilepsy, or neurological diseases P05.08 Newborn light for gestational age, 2000-2499 grams Behavior Behavior Intervention group: Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy based on the standard and specific protocol for Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia), consisting of 12 sessions of 90 minutes each, delivered in a group format (each group consisting of 8 to 12 participants). Sessions are held weekly for 12 consecutive weeks.Content of treatment sessions includes: Sessions 1 to 3 (Introduction and Psychoeducation): Familiarization of members with each other, establishing therapeutic alliance, teaching the cognitive-behavioral model of social anxiety, identifying and recording negative automatic thoughts in social situations Sessions 4 to 6 (Cognitive Restructuring): Teaching the identification of cognitive errors (such as catastrophizing, overgeneralization, mind reading), challenging maladaptive beliefs related to negative evaluation by others, replacing negative thoughts with balanced and realistic thoughts Sessions 7 to 10 (Social Skills Training and Exposure): Teaching effective communication skills (initiating and maintaining conversation, assertiveness, active listening), gradual in-session exposure to feared social situations (such as public speaking, talking to strangers, expressing opinions in groups), and practicing deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to manage physiological symptoms of anxiety Sessions 11 to 12 (Consolidation and Relapse Prevention): Review of learned skills, planning for independent exposure in natural environments, identifying signs of relapse risk, and developing strategies to prevent symptom recurrenceNumber of sessions: 12 sessionsDuration of each session: 90 minutesFrequency: One session per weekTotal intervention duration: 12 weeksMethod of delivery: Group-based (8 to 12 participants per group) and in-person Control group: The control group is placed on a waiting list and receives no psychological or pharmacological intervention during the study period. Participants in this group are assessed at the same time points as the intervention group (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up). After the completion of the treatment period for the intervention group and the post-test and follow-up assessments, the same cognitive-behavioral therapy program will be offered free of charge to the control group members if they wish. Perceived Stress Score. Timepoint: Pre-test (Baseline): Measurement of perceived stress score using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), one week before the start of the intervention (first treatment session) Post-test (Immediately after intervention): Measurement of perceived stress score using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), immediately after the completion of the last treatment session (twelfth session) Follow-up (2 months): Measurement of perceived stress score using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), 2 months after the completion of the last treatment session. Method of measurement: The Perceived Stress Scale with 14 items (PSS-14). This questionnaire is completed by participants as a self-report measure. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (ranging from 0 = never to 4 = always). The total score ranges from 0 to 56. Islamic Azad University Approved 2026-06-22 دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد آیت اله آملی Islamic Azad University, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Daneshgah Street, Amol–Babol Road, before Komdereh Village, Amol, Iran. Amol Mazandaran Iran (Islamic Republic of)