The Effect of Treatment Preference on Compliance and Satisfaction for Social Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: There is accumulating evidence that treatment preference may significantly impact treatment compliance and satisfaction in individuals with psychological disorders. Very few studies have examined treatment preferences in clients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Moreover, little is known if treatment preference for a conventional therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy versus mindfulness-based interventions, influence outcomes. The primary objective of the current study was to determine whether treatment expectancy and preferences for a mindfulness intervention adapted for SAD (MBI-SAD), cognitive behavior group therapy (CBGT), or no preference, would influence treatment compliance and treatment satisfaction. Method: The sample included 97 participants who met the DSM-5 criteria for SAD. After selecting a treatment preference, participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group. Analyses of variance, chi-square, and logistic regressions were conducted to determine if being matched to one’s preferred treatment influenced outcomes, and if those with no preference differed from those who indicated a preference. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to determine if participants’ perceptions of credibility and expectations and match to treatment influenced compliance and satisfaction. Results: There was some support that treatment preference and match to treatment influenced compliance and satisfaction, however the majority of the analyses revealed no impact of treatment preferences. CBGT met expectations more often than did MBI-SAD when participants were matched to their preferred treatment. When participants were matched to their preferred treatment or had no preference, they were more compliant with homework than those who were not matched. Those with no preference had lower attendance than both the matched and not matched groups. Perceived credibility and expectancy were higher for those who were matched to their preferred group, however this did not have an impact on compliance and satisfaction. The remainder of the analyses did not find a relationship between treatment preference or match to treatment on compliance or satisfaction.