Treatment Effectiveness of a Self-Help Manual for Dating Anxiety

The treatment effectiveness of a self-help manual for dating anxiety was evaluated with college males. Forty-six males reporting dating anxiety were divided by a median split into two groups of high and low frequency daters and randomly assigned to a treatment group or a delayed treatment group. The dating frequency of the low frequency daters in the treatment group. The dating frequency of the low frequency daters in the treatment group increased significantly in comparison to the low frequency daters in the control group. Self-perceived heterosexual avoidance in the treatment group decreased significantly in comparison to the control group. A delayed treatment control group after receiving the dating manual also significantly increased their dating. An 8 month follow-up indicated treated subjects were able to maintain their gains. No differences were found on self-report measures of general social anxiety or number of casual interactions. The changes on dating frequency and self-perceived heterosexual avoidance suggested that this self-help manual can provide assistance for males with dating anxiety who want to resolve this problem by themselves.