Comparison of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Reducing Anxiety Symptoms

[Background]Social anxiety is a clinical pattern of self-protection social behaviors that coincides with severe anxiety regarding negative reactions such as critique, being ridiculed, miss-communication, or miss-behaviors against others.[Objectives]This research investigated the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the reduction of anxiety symptoms in females with social anxiety disorder.[Methods]The planning of this study was through a semi-experimental method of pretest and posttest type with two groups. The research population included the students of Sanandaj Payam-e-Noor University suffering from social anxiety disorder. The sample size was 40 women chosen by random sampling method and assigned to two groups of mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy. The subjects participated were the students of Payam-e-Noor University of Kurdistan in the academic year 2013 - 2014. Data were collected by Liebowitz social anxiety scale (LSAS) and Minnesota multi-phasic personality inventory (MMPI). Data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance and dependent t-test.[Results]The results showed that both cognitive behavioral therapy (P < 0.001, t = 2.40) and mindfulness-based stress reduction were impressive in reducing the stress, while mindfulness-based stress reduction (P < 0.001, t = 4.82) was more effective than cognitive-behavioral therapy.[Conclusions]In order to improve and decrease the anxiety in these patients, it will be essential to consider these variables during designing appropriate interventions.