Despite the vast majority of evidence indicating the efficacy of traditional and recent cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) therapies in treating social anxiety disorder (SAD), some individuals with SAD do not improve by these interventions, particularly when co-morbidity is present.

It is not clear how emotion regulation therapy (ERT) can improve SAD co-morbid with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. This study investigated this gap.

Treatment efficacy was assessed using a single case series methodology. Four clients with SAD co-occurring with GAD and depression symptoms received a 16-session version of ERT in weekly individual sessions. During the treatment, self-report measures and clinician ratings were used to assess the symptom intensity, model-related variables, and quality of life, work and social adjustment of participants every other week throughout the treatment. Follow-up was also conducted at 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment. Data were analysed using visual analysis, effect size (Cohen’s d) and percentage of improvement.

SAD clients with depression and GAD symptoms demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in symptom severity, quality of life, work, social adjustment and model-related measures (i.e. negative emotionality/safety motivation, emotion regulation strategies). The improvements were largely maintained during the follow-up period and increased for some variables.

These findings showed preliminary evidence for the role of emotion dysregulation and motivational factors in the aetiology and maintenance of SAD and the efficacy of ERT in the treatment of co-morbid SAD.

There is no published evidence about the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Behavioral Avoidance Scale (CBAS) in Eastern cultures.

The current research evaluated the psychometric properties of a Persian version of the CBAS.

The research consisted of two studies. In Study 1, a university student sample (n = 702) completed the CBAS, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Thought Control Questionnaire and the Anxious Thoughts Inventory. In Study 2, a general population sample (n = 384) and a clinical sample (n = 152) completed the CBAS, the Young Compensation Inventory and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21.

Exploratory factor analysis of the data from Study 1 suggested a four-factor solution for CBAS. The CBAS had acceptable internal consistency and test–re-test reliability, and showed significant correlations with depression symptoms and anxious thoughts. Confirmatory factor analysis of the data from Study 2 indicated good fit between the four-factor model and data. The CBAS had a significant relationship with depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, but no associations with schema compensatory behaviour strategy. Finally, the CBAS and its subscales successfully distinguished a clinical sample from a general population sample.

The findings provide preliminary evidence for reliability and validity of the CBAS among Iranian student, general population and clinical samples.