Background and Aim: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective approach for reducing adolescent anxiety by modifying maladaptive thoughts and avoidance behaviors, thereby improving students’ mental health. In Iran, due to the social and academic pressures faced by adolescent girls, the use of this intervention is particularly important for reducing perfectionism, enhancing self-esteem, and decreasing fear of negative evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBGT) in moderating perfectionism, enhancing self-esteem, and reducing fear of negative evaluation among female students with social anxiety.

Methods: The research design was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test phases and a control group. The statistical population included first-grade junior high school female students in Urmia (2024) who exhibited symptoms of social anxiety. Sampling was conducted using convenience sampling, selecting 40 participants, who were then randomly assigned to two groups of 20 (experimental and control). The experimental group received CBGT interventions, while the control group received no treatment. Assessment tools included the Perfectionism Questionnaire by Najarian et al. (1999), the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (1967), the Watson and Friend Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (1969), and the Gerstad Social Anxiety Scale (1996). Data were processed using SPSS version 27 software and Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA).

Results: Analyses indicated a significant difference between the post-test scores of the two groups in the studied variables. The results showed that implementing the CBGT protocol led to a substantial reduction in perfectionism and fear of negative evaluation, along with an increase in self-esteem levels among the participants in the experimental group.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is considered an effective approach for improving the psychological status of female students with social anxiety. It can be applied to reduce perfectionism and fear of others' judgment, as well as to strengthen their self-esteem.