Abstract

The spread of Covid-19 has increased the need for non-face-to-face(non-FTF) intervention for psychological difficulties has increased, especially with social distancing. This study aim to inspect the effect of non-FTF group cognitive-behavioral therapy on reducing social anxiety in university students through external conversion attention techniques and video feedback. The intervention changed the maladaptive self-focused attentional disposition through decentralization and video feedback. The non-FTF group CBT program was provided to 14 university students who showed social avoidance and discomfort scale scores higher than the cut-off point, social anxiety symptoms, avoidance, fear of negative evaluation, and maladaptive self-focus. Assessments were performed before, after, and two months after the end of the program. The results showed that social anxiety symptoms, avoidance, fear of negative evaluations, and maladaptive self-focusing tendencies significantly decreased after cognitive behavioral therapy in the non-FTF group. This treatment effect was maintained two months after termination at the same level as at the evaluation. These results verified that group cognitive behavioral therapy for socially anxious university students is effective even in non-FTF interventions. Basis of the research result, Implications, limitations, and future research are suggested.