A Systematic Review of Mindfulness and Acceptance‐Based Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

MABTs demonstrate significant benefits for reducing SAD symptomatology; however, outcomes should be interpreted with caution until appropriate further research is conducted. Furthermore, the benefit of MABTs above and beyond CBT must be considered tentative at best; thus, CBT remains best practice for first-line treatment of SAD.

Experiential Self‐Focus in Social Anxiety Disorder: Is it Beneficial?

“…Second, the brief analogue intervention cannot be generalized to longer interventions. However, the current results are supported by weak outcomes of studies of MABTs for SAD (Mayo‐Wilson et al., ; Norton et al., ). Third, the current study assessed the effect of processing modes on unconditional beliefs only (e.g., “I'm dull”), and it would be valuable to explore the effect of self‐focus modes on other types of beliefs (e.g., conditional and high standard beliefs; Wong & Moulds, ) and self‐related imagery (e.g., Hackmann, Clark, & McManus, ).…”

“…In sum, current findings suggest that proximal to social threat, experiential self-focus may present no advantages for SAD individuals compared processing social information analytically. While outcomes do not preclude potential benefits of engaging in extended training in experiential self-focus for SAD individuals (i.e., MABTs), recent reviews indicate limited efficacy of such interventions, and suggest that CBT remains best practice for first line treatment of SAD (Mayo-Wilson et al, 2014;Norton et al, 2015). Further research is needed to investigate the impact of experiential self-focus under various environmental conditions (e.g., in the presence versus absence of a social stressor).…”

“…A large meta-analysis of psychological and pharmacological interventions for SAD found that mindfulness training was no more effective than waitlist and substantially less efficacious than either individual or group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT; Mayo-Wilson et al, 2014). Moreover, a systematic review found inconclusive support for the use of MABTs in the treatment of SAD, with CBT consistently yielding stronger effect sizes (Norton, Abbott, Norberg, & Hunt, 2015). In the context of these reviews, current findings indicate that cognitive-behavioural interventions (e.g., attention training; Donald, Abbott, & Smith, 2014) may be more beneficial than MABTs for ameliorating social anxiety.…”

Trajectories of social anxiety, cognitive reappraisal, and mindfulness during an RCT of CBGT versus MBSR for social anxiety disorder

“…However, a recent review (Norton, Abbott, Norberg, & Hunt, 2015) concluded that, although mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments may reduce social anxiety symptoms in adults with SAD, methodological weaknesses (e.g., small sample sizes, lack of an active treatment comparisons or control groups) limit the confidence that should be placed in the results reported for MBSR in patients with SAD. Thus, the authors called for greater methodologically rigor and a more refined examination of the processes that mediate the observed reductions in SAD symptoms during mindfulness-based interventions versus CBT.…”

Facing social fears: How do improved participants experience change in mindfulness‐based stress reduction for social anxiety disorder?

“…How do young adults who improve from their social anxiety symptoms experience their own process of change during an eight‐week mindfulness‐based stress reduction programme? Although clinical trials indicate that mindfulness and acceptance‐based interventions (MABIs) may be effective for SAD (Norton, Abbott, Norberg, & Hunt, ), little is known about the actual experiences of individuals who participate in these interventions. In the present article, we explore the experiences of participants whose presenting symptoms improved during a larger clinical trial of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) for young adults with SAD.…”