Self-guided interventions for Social Anxiety Disorder: a systematic review

• Published in: Estudos de psicologia 2024, Vol.41
• Main Authors: Dittz, Carolina Pereira, Lourenço, Lelio Moura, Swerts, Letícia Santiago, Coelho, Luciamara das Chagas, Gomes, Daniel Alexandre Gouvêa, Lopes, Rodrigo da Cunha Teixeira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0103-166X; 1982-0275
• DOI: 10.1590/1982-0275202441e220028

Abstract Objective Despite the availability of effective treatments for social anxiety disorder, help-seeking is restricted. Internet-based treatments reduce access barriers. The main purpose of this literature review is to identify and describe self- and minimally guided online interventions for the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder. Method A search with the descriptors "social phobia"; "social anxiety"; "treatment"; "intervention"; "self-help"; "therapy"; "internet"; "online"; "web"; and "e-health" in the Dialnet, PsycINFO, Redalyc, SciELO, and Web of Science databases was carried out, without time delimitation. Results A total of 1.359 articles were found and 30 were analyzed. Ten online interventions were identified and described. The publications were predominantly from 2009 onwards. Conclusion Overall, the studies point to a significant improvement in social anxiety disorder symptomatology and maintenance of gains in follow-up studies. No study was found in the Brazilian context. Resumo Objetivo Apesar de existirem tratamentos eficazes para o transtorno de ansiedade social, a busca por ajuda é restrita. Tratamentos pela internet diminuem as barreiras de acesso. A presente revisão da literatura tem como objetivo principal identificar e descrever as intervenções online auto e minimamente guiadas para o tratamento do Transtorno de Ansiedade Social. Método Realizou-se uma busca com os descritores “social phobia”; “social anxiety”; “treatment”; “intervention”; “self-help”; “therapy”; “internet”; “online”; “web”; e “e-health” nas bases de dados Dialnet, PsycINFO, Redalyc, SciELO e Web of Science, sem delimitação de tempo. Resultados Foram encontrados 1359 artigos e 30 deles foram analisados. Dez intervenções online foram identificadas e descritas. As publicações foram predominantemente a partir do ano de 2009. Conclusão No geral, os estudos apontam para uma melhora significativa na sintomatologia do Transtorno de Ansiedade Social e manutenção dos ganhos em estudos de follow-up. Nenhum estudo foi encontrado no contexto brasileiro.