Single-Session Psychoeducation for Social Anxiety Mental Health Literacy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Purpose: This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the effectiveness of a three-hour intervention on mental health literacy and symptoms of social anxiety among university students. Methods: A total of 86 participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 43) or a waitlist control group (n = 43). Assessments were completed at pretest (T1), posttest (T2), one-month follow-up (T3), and three-month follow-up (T4). Results: Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in mental health literacy, including increased knowledge (d_T2 = 2.19, d_T3 = 1.46, d_T4 = 1.29), reduced stigma (d_T2 = –0.94, d_T3 = –0.99, d_T4 = –0.71), and more positive help-seeking attitude (d_T2 = 0.59, d_T3 = 0.44). However, no significant change was observed in social anxiety symptoms. Discussion: The single-session psychoeducational intervention effectively enhanced university students’ mental health literacy related to social anxiety. However, it did not significantly change social anxiety symptoms.

Keywords

social anxiety mental health literacy stigma help-seeking attitudes

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