Studying the activity pattern of adolescent boys with socialanxiety disorder in online social networks۱

In recent years, online social networks have become an important medium for individuals who sufferfrom social anxiety disorder. These networks create dynamics in their interactions that facilitate theassessment of the disorder. Therefore, the present research was conducted to examine the activitypatterns of adolescent boys with social anxiety disorder on online social networks.To create more validity for the data, only Instagram users were selected, and due to developmentaldifferences within this age range, only individuals aged ۱۵-۱۸ were included in the study sample. Theresearch population consisted of Tehranian adolescent boys with social anxiety disorder in the year۲۰۲۳, and the sample was obtained through purposive sampling using the ۲۰۱۷ LaGreca Social AnxietyScale questionnaire.The research method was descriptive phenomenology, which continued through semi-structuredinterviews with ۱۴ adolescents until data saturation was reached. The seven-stage Colaizzi method wasused to analyze the data, and the activity patterns of adolescents with social anxiety disorder on onlinesocial networks were shown to have five main codes: "cognitive distortions prior to activity, inflexibil ityand feeling of compulsion in activity, incomplete self-presentation, distorted presentation, and constantevaluation and editing." Experts in the field of mental health can use the findings of this research toidentify these adolescents and provide strategies tailored to their needs in their interventions.