The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Meta-Emotional Dimensions in Adolescents with Social Anxiety

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Psychology, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

10.30476/jhmi.2025.108549.1312

Abstract

Introduction: Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent and debilitating condition among adolescents, often maintained by dysfunctional meta-emotional beliefs. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on meta-emotional dimensions in adolescents with social anxiety in Ahvaz, Iran.
Methods: This study utilized a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all adolescents with social anxiety disorder who sought treatment at counseling centers in Ahvaz between March and June 2024. A convenience sample of 45 participants was selected and then randomly assigned to two experimental groups (VRET, n=15; MBCT, n=15) and a control group (n=15). VRET consisted of eight weekly 45-minute sessions, while MBCT consisted of eight weekly 90-minute sessions. Data were collected using diagnostic interviews and the Meta-Emotion Questionnaire (MEQ) and analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: The findings revealed that both the VRET and MBCT groups showed significant improvement in meta-emotional dimensions compared to the control group. Furthermore, VRET demonstrated a slightly greater improvement, although both therapies maintained their positive effects at the three-month follow-up.
Conclusion: The results indicate that both VRET and MBCT are effective interventions for improving meta-emotional dimensions in adolescents with social anxiety. These findings highlight the potential for integrating technology-based and mindfulness-based approaches into clinical practice to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

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Health Management & Information Science

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 October 2025

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