Workshops to help undergraduates with social anxiety and public speaking fears

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of four different workshop formats aimed at reducing social anxiety and public speaking stress among undergraduate students at the University of Colorado Boulder. Participants will engage in a series of peer-led and self-compassion enhanced group exposure therapy sessions over eight weeks, with assessments conducted before, during, and after the workshops. The study employs a full factorial trial design to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of these interventions. Up to 200 students will be randomized into one of the four workshop conditions to determine the most effective approach.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age = 18-30
* Able to read and write fluently in English
* Current undergraduate students at CU
* Experiencing elevated social anxiety symptoms indicated by a SPIN score ≥ 19
* Experiencing moderate to high communication anxiety indicated by a PRCA- 24 score ≥ 59
* Open to receiving help for social anxiety or public speaking fears indicated by a help seeking score of ≥ 3 out of 5 (at both screening timepoints as explained below)
* Able to voluntarily consent to participation
* Able to participate fully in the study (including in the in-person group workshops and in survey completion) as assessed by screening questions and the study P

Exclusion Criteria:

* Are currently experiencing moderately severe or severe depression represented by the validated cutoff score for major depression on the PHQ-8 of greater than 14 (Kroenke et al., 2001)
* Score in the moderate-high range for suicide risk as indicated by the CSSRS (Salvi, 2019), report a suicide attempt in the past 12 months, or report current, ongoing suicidal ideation along with a past (lifetime) suicide attempt
* Are current students of the PI or clients or current students of the doctoral student co-facilitators

Where it's running

• Renee Crown Wellness Institute and Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
  Boulder, Colorado, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Joanna Arch, PhD
• Email: joanna.arch@colorado.edu
• Phone: 303.492.4634

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.