Effectiveness of Eclectic Intervention (Cognitive Restructuring, Cognitive Coping Skills and Role playing Approaches) on self-Assertiveness and Social Anxiety among Isfahan University Students

Background and Objective: People with social anxiety lack enough self-assertiveness. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of eclectic intervention approaches such as cognitive restructuring, cognitive coping skills and role playing on social anxiety and self-assertiveness among female students of the University of Isfahan. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was fulfilled with two experimental and control groups. The target sample comprised ۳۲ students who were selected by several stages of cluster sampling out of ۲۸۷ students of University of Isfahan. Initially, ۲ questionnaires consisting of social anxiety and self-assertiveness scale were distributed among the students. Then, students with social anxiety and low scores in self-assertiveness scale were randomly selected and assigned into experimental and control groups. Subsequently, ۱۰ sessions of eclectic intervention in the spring of ۲۰۱۲ were implemented for the experimental group. Social anxiety scale and self-assertiveness scale were completed in ۳ stages: pre-test, post- test and follow-up for one month. Results: Results of covariance analysis revealed significant differences concerning social anxiety in experimental and control groups throughout post-test and follow-up stages and significant differences regarding self-assertiveness in experimental and control groups in post-test and follow-up stages. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that eclectic intervention (Cognitive Restructuring, Cognitive coping skills and Role playing Approaches) can be exploited as a beneficial approach to increase self-assertiveness and decrease social anxiety in students.

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Keywords: Cognitive restructuring , Cognitive coping skills and role playing , Self-assertiveness , Social anxiety