Reducing social anxiety in adolescents distressed by a visible difference: Results from a randomised control trial of a web-based intervention

Zelihi?, Deniz; van Dalen, Marije; Kling, Johanna; Pripp, Are Hugo; Nordgreen, Tine; Kvalem, Ingela L.; Pasmans, Suzanne G.M.A.; Mathijssen, Irene M.J.; Koudstaal, Maarten J.; Hillegers, Manon H.J.; Williamson, Heidi; Utens, Elisabeth M.W.J.; Feragen, Kristin B.; Okkerse, Jolanda M.E.

Abstract

A visible difference to the face or body may challenge adolescents’ adjustment and engagement in life activities, where some require psychosocial support. However, evidence is limited for whether existing interventions for this adolescent group reduce social or appearance-related distress. We therefore conducted a parallel-group, randomised control trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Young Person's Face IT, a self-guided web-based psychosocial intervention developed for adolescents with a visible difference who experience distress. Adolescents (N = 189, aged 11–18) from two countries (Norway and the Netherlands), were randomly allocated to an intervention group or care as usual (CAU). Outcomes were body esteem, social anxiety, perceived stigmatisation, and life disengagement. Compared with CAU, participants who completed Young Person's Face IT showed reductions in social anxiety symptoms (ηp2 = 0.06). No significant improvements were found for the other outcomes. This study endorses web-based psychosocial support in reducing social anxiety in adolescents distressed by a visible difference. Future studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of Young Person's Face IT and to explore potential long-term effects.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 19, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Feb 1, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Deposit Date: Feb 2, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 2, 2022
• Journal: Body Image
• Print ISSN: 1740-1445
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 40
• Pages: 295-309
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.008
• Keywords: General Psychology; Applied Psychology; Social Psychology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/8809021
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Reducing social anxiety in adolescents distressed by a visible difference: Results from a randomised control trial of a web-based intervention; Journal Title: Body Image; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.008; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.