This micro-trial study is part of a large-scale research project investigating the efficacy of interventions regarding social skills, resilience and insecurity in children. The project is coordinated by researchers of the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and conducted in collaboration with multiple partners. Minne Fekkes of TNO is the project leader.

Anne Miers is responsible for a subproject investigating the efficacy of interventions for public speaking anxiety using a micro-trial design. In collaboration with researchers from TNO and the University of Amsterdam an experiment will be designed comparing two techniques for behaviour modification and symptom reduction: cognitive restructuring and exposure. In the cognitive restructuring condition, youth with high levels of public speaking anxiety will learn to replace unrealistic (negative) thoughts with more realistic ones. In the exposure condition, they will obtain experience with speaking in front of an audience. The goal of the micro-trial study is to show which of these techniques is most successful at reducing public speaking anxiety.

• children
• cognitive restructuring
• exposure
• public speaking