Zusammenfassung
Background: Social skills training is an important tool in psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder. The implementation of virtual reality (VR) could increase its availability and effectiveness, but there is a need for validated VR scenarios. Objective: We examined the validity of two VR scenarios according to the group training of social skills by Hinsch and Pfingsten (2015). We hypothesize ...
Zusammenfassung
Background: Social skills training is an important tool in psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder. The implementation of virtual reality (VR) could increase its availability and effectiveness, but there is a need for validated VR scenarios. Objective: We examined the validity of two VR scenarios according to the group training of social skills by Hinsch and Pfingsten (2015). We hypothesize that the subjective, psychophysiological, and cognitive components of social anxiety triggered by the scenario significantly differentiate between higher (HSA) and lower (NSA) socially anxious persons. Method: A sample of N = 55 HSA and NSA students underwent two VR scenarios for the training of assertiveness. Additionally, the duration of eye contact by the virtual interaction partner was varied experimentally. The main outcome measure was experienced anxiety. In addition, heart rate, electrodermal activity, as well as the assessment of own's own competence were recorded. Results: In both scenarios, HSA compared with NSA reported significantly higher anxiety as well as negative distortions regarding the assessment of one's own competency. With regard to physiology, there was activation but no differentiation between groups. Both VR scenarios were perceived as realistic. Conclusion: Virtual interaction scenarios can be used for training purposes, and social skills training in VR has great potential as a psychotherapeutic intervention for social anxiety disorder.
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