Comparing Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Emotional Schema Therapy (EST) in Effects on Rumination and Anxiety Sensitivity in Students with Clinical Symptoms of Social Anxiety

Background: Social anxiety is one of the most prevalent and debilitating anxiety disorders. Students with social anxiety are faced with countless problems, e.g., dropping out of school at a young age, showing avoidance behavior in social situations, and experiencing lower levels of social support and mental health. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and emotional schema therapy on rumination and anxiety sensitivity in students with social anxiety disorder (SAD).Methods: This quasi-experimental research adopted a pretest-posttest control group design with a follow-up stage. The statistical population included the female senior high school students of Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province (Iran) in ۲۰۲۲–۲۰۲۳. Random sampling was employed to select ۷۵ out of ۱۲۰ listed students, randomly assigned to three ۲۵-member groups (i.e., two experimental groups and a control group). The research instruments included the Rumination Response Scale (RRS), and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI). The ANCOVA was then used for data analysis.Results: According to the results, both therapies affected rumination and anxiety sensitivity in students with SAD (Pvalue<۰.۰۰۱). However, MBSR had greater effects than emotional schema therapy on anxiety sensitivity. In addition, two therapies had no significant differences regarding effects on rumination.Conclusions: The MBSR and EST can alleviate rumination and anxiety in female students with social anxiety. Given the positive effects of MBSR and emotional schema therapy, it is recommended that they be used in schools, psychotherapy centers, and counseling clinics to help students with SAD.Background: Social anxiety is one of the most prevalent and debilitating anxiety disorders. Students with social anxiety are faced with countless problems, e.g., dropping out of school at a young age, showing avoidance behavior in social situations, and experiencing lower levels of social support and mental health. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and emotional schema therapy on rumination and anxiety sensitivity in students with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Methods: This quasi-experimental research adopted a pretest-posttest control group design with a follow-up stage. The statistical population included the female senior high school students of Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province (Iran) in ۲۰۲۲–۲۰۲۳. Random sampling was employed to select ۷۵ out of ۱۲۰ listed students, randomly assigned to three ۲۵-member groups (i.e., two experimental groups and a control group). The research instruments included the Rumination Response Scale (RRS), and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI). The ANCOVA was then used for data analysis. Results: According to the results, both therapies affected rumination and anxiety sensitivity in students with SAD (Pvalue<۰.۰۰۱). However, MBSR had greater effects than emotional schema therapy on anxiety sensitivity. In addition, two therapies had no significant differences regarding effects on rumination. Conclusions: The MBSR and EST can alleviate rumination and anxiety in female students with social anxiety. Given the positive effects of MBSR and emotional schema therapy, it is recommended that they be used in schools, psychotherapy centers, and counseling clinics to help students with SAD.