Title: Influence Of Emotional Regulation Techniques On Reducing Social Anxiety In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Adedayo Adesokan
Mohammed Solihu Maymunat
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 102-107
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often experience social anxiety, which interferes with their social interaction, communication, and participation in classroom and everyday activities. Therefore, this study examined the influence of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness on reducing social anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Kwara State School for Special Needs, Ilorin. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised thirty (30) children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Kwara State School for Special Needs, Ilorin, Kwara State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select all the thirty (30) respondents for the study. Four research hypotheses were formulated and tested. The instrument used for data collection was a researcher-developed questionnaire titled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness and Social Anxiety Questionnaire (CBTMSAQ) with a Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts and simple percentages for demographic information, while regression analysis and independent samples t-test were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy significantly influenced social anxiety among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (t(28)=4.387, p<0.05). Similarly, Mindfulness significantly influenced social anxiety among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (t(28)=2.953, p<0.05). The study also revealed that there was no significant difference in the influence of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on social anxiety among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder based on gender (t=1.285, df=28, p>0.05). Likewise, there was no significant difference in the influence of Mindfulness on social anxiety among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder based on gender (t=-0.557, df=28, p>0.05). The study concluded that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness are effective emotional regulation techniques for reducing social anxiety among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder regardless of gender. It was therefore recommended that teachers, therapists, caregivers, and parents should integrate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness into educational and therapeutic programmes to enhance emotional regulation, reduce social anxiety, and improve the social functioning of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.