The effectiveness of rational-emotional therapy and solution focused group therapy on social anxiety disorder in students of Shiraz University

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence and unpleasant consequences of social anxiety disorder in university students, little research has been done to determine the most effective treatment for SAD. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of rational-emotive and solution-focused brief therapy on reducing social anxiety symptoms. Method: The research method was experimental with pretest-posttest design with a control group and two experimental groups .Using convenience sampling, 45 students with social anxiety symptoms were selected. Clinical interview and social phobia inventory were conducted to make certain that they satisfied the research criteria. Then they were randomly assigned to three groups (2 experimental and 1 control groups). The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance in SPSS-21. Results: Showed that rational-emotive therapy and solution-focused therapy significantly reduced symptoms of social anxiety, but rational-emotive therapy was significantly more effective than solution-focused therapy. Conclusion: Rational-emotive therapy and solution-focused therapy could be used to treat social anxiety symptoms. Although results showed rational- emotional therapy might be more appropriate treatment for students with social anxiety, further research is needed to confirm the findings of present study.