Social Phobia and Educational and Interpersonal Impairments in Adolescence: A Prospective Study

Abstract

We examined longitudinal associations between social phobia (SP) and educational and interpersonal impairments among Finnish adolescents. Participants were 3278 adolescents (9th grade; M age = 15.5 years) who completed measures of SP and depressive symptoms; 2070 participated in follow-up two years later. Indicators for educational and interpersonal functioning were assessed for each sex separately. Multivariate analyses, controlling for depression and relevant socioeconomic covariates, indicated that for boys, age 15 SP predicted slow academic progression, being without a close friend or not having a romantic relationship, and poor support from friends and significant others at age 17. However, for girls, age 15 SP only predicted not having been involved in a romantic relationship by age 17. In conclusion, we found striking sex differences for adolescent SP as a predictor for subsequent educational and interpersonal impairments in late adolescence. SP may have a more devastating effect on boys' social and academic functioning relative to that of girls.

Personality and phobias in adolescence: age and gender in psychopathological expressions

“…Our results indicate that symptomatology related to anxiety, obsession, eating disorders, and phobias tends to decrease with age and psychological development. In line with other research (3,5,6,19,20), female adolescents exhibit more fear-related phenomena than males, and this is obvious in cognitive, environmental, biological, as well as temperamental stress and traumatic factors. Retrospective data reveal that gender-related differences emerge in early life (21,22) Limitations of this study include the fact that high school students have different ways of approaching their fears (compared to university students), since the development of the symbolization process (31,32) is not yet complete in these younger students.…”

The prevalence of social phobia among students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and its relation with personality traits in 2013

“…On the other hand, a requisite of some medical professions such as medicine and nursing is extensive and direct communication and even lectures in classrooms and communities. Therefore, students suffering from social phobia will have many problems in this area, which will ultimately lead to academic and professional problems (35). Hence, considering the importance of this issue, this study was conducted in the year 2013 with the aim to determine the prevalence of social phobia among students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and its relationship with personality traits.…”

Short Form of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents among community and institutionalized Portuguese youths

“…Social anxiety disorder (SAD), one of the most common forms of adolescent psychopathology, can cause significant impairment in different life domains, such as academic functioning and interpersonal relationships ( Ranta, La Greca, Kaltiala-Heino, & Marttunen, 2016 ). It involves persistent and excessive fear of unfamiliar social or performance situations, which are frequently avoided.…”