Table 1 Overview of inclusion criteria per screening phase
Included if: | Assessment |
|---|---|
Screening phase 1 | |
Elevated levels of social anxiety | SPIN questionnaire = total score ≥ 19 as a cut-off score |
Fluency in Dutch | Able to complete the SPIN questionnaire + further assessed during the 2nd screening stage |
Adolescents are 12–16 years old (they must be at least in their second semester of 1st grade of secondary school up until 5th grade) | Demographic questions during the SPIN administration |
(Online) informed consent from adolescent and one of their legal guardians | Presence of the required informed assent and consent |
Screening phase 2 | |
No severe SAD | SAD diagnosis (SCID-5 Junior, Module 6D) + significant level of functional impairment (e.g., refusal to attend school) with ADIS-CSR = 8 (judged by the assessor) |
No severe depression | Mood disorder diagnosis (SCID-5 Junior; Module 3B) + significant level of functional impairment with ADIS-CSR = 8 (judged by the assessor) |
No severe substance use | Severe substance use based on the SCID-5 Junior (≥ 6 symptoms); Module 13 |
No presence of psychotic symptoms (regardless of severity) | Based on the screening questions of an adapted version of the SCID-5 Junior & ADIS-C / assessor’s judgment |
No severe suicidal thoughts and / or self-harm | SCID-5 Junior screening questions + MINI-KID Module B on suicidality and self-harm / suicidality: severity rating of ≥ 9 and self-harm: (1) there is danger due to very serious injuries (e.g. deep cutting, which requires medical care) and/or (2) when one’s self harm behavior is combined with suicidal ideation |
No other urgent psychopathologies and/or mismatch between participants’ clinical presentation and the offered training | Based on assessor’s judgment and then discussed during supervision |
No use of psychoactive medication that has not been stabilized; use of benzodiazepines | Stabilized = (a) same type and dosage for at least the last 4 weeks; (b) must remain unchanged throughout the study |
No autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | Pre-existing diagnosis of ASD |
No current ongoing psychological treatment (or on a waiting list) for anxiety disorders and/or depression | Asked during assessment interview |
No exposure therapy for SAD in the past two years | Asked during assessment interview |
Not eligible for the use of virtual reality (VR) - History of severe motion sickness and / or experiencing symptoms of motion sickness during 3D movies Lack of stereoscopic vision or a balance problem that would hinder the VR experience; - History of seizures, seizure disorder or epilepsy | Asked during assessment interview |
Not a member of the same household as another participant in the study | Asked during assessment interview |
No missing (online) informed consent/assent from adolescent and one of his / her legal guardians | |