Social anxiety in young people with first-episode psychosis: Pilot study of the EMBRACE moderated online social intervention.

McEnery, C; Lim, MH; Knowles, A; Rice, S; Gleeson, J; Howell, S; Russon, P; Miles, C; D'Alfonso, S; Alvarez-Jimenez, M

Social anxiety in young people with first-episode psychosis: Pilot study of the EMBRACE moderated online social intervention.

McEnery, C Lim, MH Knowles, A Rice, S Gleeson, J Howell, S Russon, P

Miles, C D'Alfonso, S Alvarez-Jimenez, M

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Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Early intervention in psychiatry, 2021, 15, (1), pp. 76-86
Issue Date:: 2021-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	McEnery, C
dc.contributor.author	Lim, MH
dc.contributor.author	Knowles, A
dc.contributor.author	Rice, S
dc.contributor.author	Gleeson, J
dc.contributor.author	Howell, S
dc.contributor.author	Russon, P https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7899-7451
dc.contributor.author	Miles, C
dc.contributor.author	D'Alfonso, S
dc.contributor.author	Alvarez-Jimenez, M
dc.date.accessioned	2021-11-09T06:48:13Z
dc.date.available	2019-12-14
dc.date.available	2021-11-09T06:48:13Z
dc.date.issued	2021-02
dc.identifier.citation	Early intervention in psychiatry, 2021, 15, (1), pp. 76-86
dc.identifier.issn	1751-7885
dc.identifier.issn	1751-7893
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151458
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Aim</h4>We conducted a single-group pilot study to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and safety of a novel online intervention (entitled EMBRACE) that includes expert and peer moderation, therapeutic comics and social networking features. The cognitive-behavioural-based intervention was specifically designed to treat social anxiety as a primary treatment target in youth with first-episode psychosis (FEP).<h4>Methods</h4>The 10 participants (17-26 years; Mage = 23 years) had a diagnosis of FEP and experienced significant levels of social anxiety as defined by exceeding a sub-threshold clinical score (>30) on the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS). They had access to the EMBRACE intervention for 2 months.<h4>Results</h4>In total, seven out of ten participants completed eight modules or more (total of 12 modules). All participants rated the intervention as positive and safe, and endorsed recommending it to others who experience social anxiety. Improvement in pre-post social anxiety symptoms, as measured via the SIAS (d = -1.70, P = .0005) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (d = -1.35, P = .002) were found. No statistically significant pre-post improvements were found for depressive or loneliness symptoms.<h4>Conclusion</h4>EMBRACE was shown to be a feasible, acceptable, and safe online intervention to specifically target social anxiety as a primary treatment concern in young people with FEP.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation.ispartof	Early intervention in psychiatry
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/eip.12912
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1701 Psychology
dc.subject.classification	Psychiatry
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Anxiety
dc.subject.mesh	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Internet-Based Intervention
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects
dc.subject.mesh	Psychotic Disorders
dc.title	Social anxiety in young people with first-episode psychosis: Pilot study of the EMBRACE moderated online social intervention.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	15
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/School of Communication
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-11-09T06:48:12Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	15
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Aim

We conducted a single-group pilot study to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and safety of a novel online intervention (entitled EMBRACE) that includes expert and peer moderation, therapeutic comics and social networking features. The cognitive-behavioural-based intervention was specifically designed to treat social anxiety as a primary treatment target in youth with first-episode psychosis (FEP).

Methods

The 10 participants (17-26 years; Mage = 23 years) had a diagnosis of FEP and experienced significant levels of social anxiety as defined by exceeding a sub-threshold clinical score (>30) on the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS). They had access to the EMBRACE intervention for 2 months.

Results

In total, seven out of ten participants completed eight modules or more (total of 12 modules). All participants rated the intervention as positive and safe, and endorsed recommending it to others who experience social anxiety. Improvement in pre-post social anxiety symptoms, as measured via the SIAS (d = -1.70, P = .0005) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (d = -1.35, P = .002) were found. No statistically significant pre-post improvements were found for depressive or loneliness symptoms.

Conclusion

EMBRACE was shown to be a feasible, acceptable, and safe online intervention to specifically target social anxiety as a primary treatment concern in young people with FEP.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151458