Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy on Level of Social Phobia among Adolescents Studying in Schools of Selected Areas.

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder is a condition characterised by a marked and persistent fear of being humiliated or scrutinised by others. Age-of-onset data point to adolescence as a developmentally sensitive period for the emergence of the condition, at a time when the peer group becomes increasingly important. Social anxiety in adolescence is associated with considerable impairment that persists through to adulthood. There are clear potential benefits to delivering effective interventions during adolescence.

Methodology

The researcher used quantitative research approach in the present study. The research design chosen for this study is quasi- experimental non randomized control group design. The population was adolescents experiencing social phobia. The sample consisted of 60 adolescents who are experiencing social phobia and willing to participate in study. The sampling technique used was non probability convenient sampling technique. The setting was selected schools. The researcher used tool that is standardized severity measure for social phobia ( children age- 11-17 years) to assess level of social phobia among adolescents studying in schools of selected areas. The content validity of the tool was done and was found to be 0.94. The study was done for 28 days. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy was administered to the experimental group of 30 adolescents and was not administered to the control group of 30 adolescents. The post-test was collected on the 28th day.

Result

The analysis of the study was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The master sheet was prepared. The data was presented in the form of tables and charts. Statistics were performed with the help of paired t-tests, un-paired t-tests and chi-square tests.

The result indicate that the mean pre test level of social phobia in experimental group was 14.1 (SD=6.78), whereas the mean post test level of social phobia was 4.73 (SD=5.62). The calculated t-value is 8.24, which is significantly higher than table value (2.045 at p = ≤0.05, DF=29).

For experimental group p-value (0.001) is statistically significant, indicating a significant difference in the level of social phobia between the pre-test and post-test scores in the experimental group. This suggests that the intervention was highly effective in reducing social phobia levels among adolescents.

For control group the results indicate that the mean pre-test score was 13.83 (SD = 6.5), while the mean post-test score was 13.8 (SD = 6.87). The calculated t-value (0.025) is much smaller than the table value (2.045 at p ≤ 0.05, DF = 29).