A pioneering University of Queensland (UQ) research project will help teenagers overcome extreme shyness and social anxiety.
The study aims to evaluate a new treatment program for socially anxious adolescents aged 14-17 years. The treatment develops social skills and strategies to help adolescents cope better with their anxiety in social situations so that they feel more confident.
Half of the adolescents in the program will receive treatment at the Behaviour and Research Therapy Centre in the School of Psychology at UQ, and half of them will be treated over the internet in groups with the help of web-cameras.
According to Dr Lisa Liberman, Postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Psychology, international research shows that social phobia is one of the most common psychological problems amongst young people.
“A large proportion of adolescents who suffer from social anxiety never get any treatment. If we can treat adolescents over the internet and reach the same outcomes as with in-clinic therapy, we will be able to help a much larger group of adolescents,” she said.
“Apart from the emotional distress that social phobia causes in adolescents, it has been found to contribute to lower levels of education, social isolation and depression”.
Internet therapy for adolescent social phobia, if effective, would offer an easily accessible treatment that will increase the chance of young people getting the help they need.
“This approach would not only make therapy more available to adolescents who live in remote areas or who have difficulty attending for clinic-based treatment due to practical reasons, but it may also increase willingness to participate, as many young people are resistant to attending clinics because they might find it embarrassing”, said Dr Liberman.
The current treatment study is unique in that it is the first time that a group treatment is being offered to adolescents with the help of web-cams. This will allow for group interaction and therapist guidance through digital transmission.
The project is partly funded by a grant from STINT (the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education).
The cost for the total program is $100 and 45 places are available. For more information or to register, contact Dr Lisa Liberman on 3346 9031 or l.liberman@psy.uq.edu.au.
Media: For more information contact Dr Lisa Liberman on 3346 9031 or l.liberman@psy.uq.edu.au
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