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Anxiety, emotional security and the interpersonal behavior of individuals with social anxiety disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2010

J. J. Russell ,
D. S. Moskowitz ,
D. C. Zuroff ,
P. Bleau ,
G. Pinard  and
S. N. Young
J. J. Russell*
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
D. S. Moskowitz
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
D. C. Zuroff
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
P. Bleau
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
G. Pinard
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
S. N. Young
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr J. J. Russell, Department of Psychology, McGill University Health Centre, 1025 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1. (Email: jennifer.russell@mcgill.ca)
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Abstract

Background

Interpersonal functioning is central to social anxiety disorder (SAD). Empirical examinations of interpersonal behaviors in individuals with SAD have frequently relied on analogue samples, global retrospective reports and laboratory observation. Moreover, research has focused on avoidance and safety behaviors, neglecting potential links between SAD and affiliative behaviors.

Method

The influence of situational anxiety and emotional security on interpersonal behaviors was examined for individuals with SAD (n=40) and matched normal controls (n=40). Participants monitored their behavior and affect in naturally occurring social interactions using an event-contingent recording procedure.

Results

Individuals with SAD reported higher levels of submissive behavior and lower levels of dominant behavior relative to controls. Consistent with cognitive–behavioral and evolutionary theories, elevated anxiety in specific events predicted increased submissiveness among individuals with SAD. Consistent with attachment theory, elevations in event-level emotional security were associated with increased affiliative behaviors (increased agreeable behavior and decreased quarrelsome behavior) among members of the SAD group. Results were not accounted for by concurrent elevations in sadness or between-group differences in the distribution of social partners.

Conclusions

These findings are consistent with predictions based on several theoretical perspectives. Further, the present research documents naturally occurring interpersonal patterns of individuals with SAD and identifies conditions under which these individuals may view social interactions as opportunities for interpersonal connectedness.

Keywords

Emotional securityinterpersonal interactionsocial anxiety disordersocial behaviorsocial phobia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 41 , Issue 3 , March 2011 , pp. 545 - 554
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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