The effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy on interpersonal sensitivity and competence perception in students with social anxiety

Ordoni Aval, Mehdi

doi:10.22034/jmp.2025.541521.1142

The effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy on interpersonal sensitivity and competence perception in students with social anxiety

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Mehdi Ordoni Aval

Master of Family Counseling, Islamic Azad University, Electronic Branch, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jmp.2025.541521.1142

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of a group counseling program based on Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) in reducing interpersonal sensitivity and enhancing perceived self-efficacy among male high school students with social anxiety.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was used. Thirty male students from District 1 of Mashhad, Iran, who met criteria for social anxiety, were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Participants completed the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), Perceived Competence Scale for Children (PCSC), and Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R) before and after the intervention. The experimental group received an eight-week CFT-based counseling program, held once weekly for 90 minutes and facilitated by a licensed psychologist trained in CFT, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA.

Results: The CFT-based program significantly reduced interpersonal sensitivity (F(1, 27) = 18.215, p< .001, η² = 0.403) and improved cognitive competence (F(1, 27) = 6.67, p = .015, η² = 0.198). No significant effects were observed for social or physical competence.

Conclusion: These findings provide evidence that CFT reduces interpersonal sensitivity and enhances cognitive competence among adolescents with social anxiety. Although effects did not extend to social or physical competence, the results highlight the potential of CFT as a feasible school-based intervention. Future studies should examine whether integrating behavioral components can extend benefits to externally validated competence domains. This research supports CFT as a culturally adaptable, school-friendly intervention for non-Western contexts.

Keywords

Compassion-Focused Therapy

Interpersonal Sensitivity

Perceived Competence

Social Anxiety

Adolescent Mental Health

Subjects

Abnormal Psychology

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