Transdiagnostic Effectiveness of Digital Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (dCBT) in Reducing Anxiety and Depression Linked to Online Social Comparison: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Online social comparison (OSC) has emerged as a significant risk factor for the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms among social media users. Digital Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (dCBT) offers a scalable and accessible intervention to mitigate these psychological impacts. Objective: This meta-analysis evaluates the transdiagnostic effectiveness of dCBT interventions specifically targeting distress associated with online social comparisons. Methods: A systematic search of Google Scholar, PubMed, and Persian databases (SID, Magiran) was conducted for studies published between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۵. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining dCBT for anxiety and depression in the context of social media use were included. Results: Eight studies (N=۲,۴۵۰) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled effect size for dCBT on OSC-related distress was Hedges' g = ۰.۴۸ (۹۵% CI: ۰.۲۶-۰.۷۱), indicating a moderate and statistically significant effect. Subgroup analyses revealed that dCBT was particularly effective for anxiety symptoms (g=۰.۵۴) compared to depressive symptoms (g=۰.۴۶). Conclusion: dCBT is an effective transdiagnostic tool for reducing the negative psychological outcomes of online social comparison. Future research should focus on long-term sustainability and cultural adaptations of these digital platforms.

کلیدواژه ها:

Digital Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (dCBT) ، Online Social Comparison ، Anxiety ، Depression ، Meta-Analysis ، Transdiagnostic Treatment