Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Emerging Adults

NCT07798063 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IIUI/ORIC/Bioethics/110-1928
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate whether Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) helps reduce symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in emerging adults in Pakistan. Participants will first be screened to identify those with mild to moderate levels of GAD. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either SFT or be placed on a waitlist. The researcher will measure changes in anxiety symptoms before and after the intervention to determine whether SFT is effective for emerging adults with GAD in Pakistan.

Conditions

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7)

  The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale assesses severity of anxiety symptoms. Total scores range from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.

  Baseline and Week 8

• Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - Short Form (DASS-21)

  The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - Short Form (DASS-21) measures emotional distress. The total score ranges from 0 to 63 (combining depression, anxiety, and stress subscales). Higher scores indicate more severe emotional distress.

  Baseline and Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale - Short Form (IUS-12)

  Baseline and Week 8

• Negative Problem Orientation Questionnaire (NPOQ)

  Baseline and Week 8

• Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale - Short Form (DERS-SF)

  Baseline and Week 8

• Brief Resilience Scale

  Baseline and Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group (Receiving Solution-Focused Therapy)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the intervention group will receive Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) for mild to moderate Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Behavioral: Solution-Focused Therapy

Control Group (Waitlist Control Group)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group will not receive Solution-Focused Brief Therapy during the active trial period and will instead be assigned to a waitlist condition.

Interventions

Solution-Focused Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Participants in intervention group will receive Solution-Focused Therapy. The program includes approximately 6-8 individual sessions (45-60 minutes) covering goal-setting, exception-finding, scaling questions, the miracle question, identification of existing strengths and resources, and construction of solution-focused action steps.

Intervention Group (Receiving Solution-Focused Therapy)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 29 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• International Islamic University, Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI)

Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Interventions

Psychotherapy, Brief

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Fariha Hayat, MS

  International Islamic University, Islamabad

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Fariha Hayat, MS

CONTACT

+92 3365288229; fariha.hayat87@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctoral Researcher & Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2026
• First Posted: September 1, 2026
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 28, 2026
• Last Updated: September 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)