Intervention to Reduce Safety Behaviors

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Aug 9, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to help Veterans who experience social anxiety, particularly those trying to return to work. The study will test a brief text-based program designed to reduce safety behaviors—actions people take to avoid uncomfortable situations—associated with social anxiety. By participating, Veterans can contribute to important research that could lead to better support and resources for improving their everyday lives and job performance.

To join the study, participants need to be actively involved in a program called Compensated Work Therapy and have specific scores indicating their level of social anxiety. This means they should feel a significant impact from their anxiety in social situations. The trial is currently looking for volunteers aged 65 and older, and it's crucial that they are not involved in any other studies related to social anxiety at the same time. Participants can expect to engage with the text-based intervention, and their feedback will help shape future research aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Veterans facing these challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Active enrollment in Compensated Work Therapy
• • Score of \> 25 on the Social Phobia Inventory
• • Score of \> 47 on the Subtle Avoidance Frequency Examination
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Concurrent enrollment in another study related to social anxiety or improving functional status
• • Recent (\<3 month) history of psychiatric hospitalization, detoxification admission, or suicide attempt