An evaluation of the applicability of the tripartite constructs to social anxiety in adolescents.

The current study examined the tripartite model of anxiety and depression in relation to social phobia in a nonclinical sample of adolescents (ages 13-17). Adolescent/parent dyads participated in a semistructured interview and completed self-report measures of the tripartite constructs and social anxiety. Adolescents gave an impromptu speech, and heart rate was monitored. Low positive affect, high negative affect, and high physiological hyperarousal were characteristic of adolescents diagnosed with social phobia; adolescents with elevated social anxiety symptoms who did not meet criteria for social phobia did not evidence low positive affect. Heart rate reactivity during the speech was not significantly correlated with social anxiety symptomatology or with self-reported physiological hyperarousal.

An examination of the MASC Social Anxiety Scale in a non-referred sample of adolescents.

Social phobia is prevalent during adolescence and is associated with negative outcomes. Two self-report instruments are empirically validated to specifically assess social phobia symptomatology in youth: the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. The Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children is a broad-band measure of anxiety containing a scale assessing the social phobia construct. The present study investigated the MASC Social Anxiety Scale in relation to other well-established measures of social phobia and depression in a non-referred sample of adolescents. Results support the convergent validity of the MASC Social Anxiety Scale and provide some support for its discriminant validity, suggesting its utility in the initial assessment of social phobia. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROCs) calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the MASC Social Anxiety Scale. Binary logistic regression analyses determined the predictive utility of the MASC Social Anxiety Scale. Implications for assessment are discussed.

Subjective versus objective behavioral ratings following two analogue tasks: a comparison of socially phobic and non-anxious adolescents.

Although results regarding objective social skills deficits in adults are inconsistent, research with youth have consistently demonstrated such deficits. Furthermore, research has consistently demonstrated subjective appraisal of social skill deficit in both youth and adults with social phobia or social anxiety. As a result, research has begun to examine the presence of a negative perceptual bias in individuals with social phobia and social anxiety. The purpose of the present study was to extend the findings of social skill deficits to an adolescent sample by investigating differences between adolescents with social phobia and non-anxious peers with regard to objective and subjective behavioral ratings. In addition, the presence of a negative perceptual bias was investigated by examining discrepancy scores between these ratings. The results of the current study provide support for the presence of social skill deficits in a socially phobic adolescent population and are the first to suggest that a limited negative bias exists in this population.

The Social Phobia Inventory: validity and reliability in an adolescent community sample.

Social anxiety disorder and social anxiety are highly prevalent psychological conditions in youth. Because of the known risks associated with the spectrum of social anxiety in youth, early detection with valid and reliable assessment measures is imperative. Self-report measures have become the most widely used method of assessment for child and adolescent social anxiety. Because research to date on self-report measures of social anxiety disorder in adolescents is limited, the primary objective of the present study was to contribute to the literature by examining the validity and reliability of a new self-report measure, the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), in a community sample of adolescents. The SPIN is a 17-item measure purported to assess the full spectrum of social anxiety disorder symptomatology. Previously, psychometric research on the SPIN in adult populations has demonstrated its validity and reliability. In the current psychometric examination, results revealed strong support for the temporal stability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the SPIN, suggesting it is an appropriate screening measure for the assessment of social anxiety disorder in adolescents.

A comparison between socially anxious and depressive symptomatology in youth: a focus on perceived family environment.

The current study employed present-oriented self-report measures to compare groups of socially anxious, depressed, mixed socially anxious and depressed, and comparison youth on perceptions of the family environment, as assessed via the Family Environment Questionnaire (FEQ). Results indicated that the mixed and depressed groups rated their parents as being overly concerned with others' opinions, feeling ashamed of their performance, and restricting family sociability more than the socially anxious and comparison groups. With respect to the latter two groups, the socially anxious group rated their family environment more negatively than the comparison group on each of these variables. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

The role of religious behaviour in adolescent depressive and anxious symptomatology.

Previous research, conducted primarily with adults, suggests that religious behaviour is associated with improved mental health. This study expanded extant literature to determine whether a similar relationship exists among adolescents. Participants completed the Religious Behaviour Questionnaire, the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. Results indicated that more frequent religious behaviour and a greater desire to participate in religious activities were associated with lower scores on the CDI. Clinical and educational implications of these findings are discussed.