The Japanese self‐focused attention scale: Factor structure, internal consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity

Abstract

Objective Self‐focused attention is a maintaining factor for social anxiety disorder. It was shown that self‐focused attention correlates with trait mindfulness, but not with attention control. This study examined the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the self‐focused attention (J‐SFA) scale. Method Students (N = 502) completed a set of questionnaires, measuring self‐focused attention, social anxiety symptoms, trait mindfulness, and attention control. Results A confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the J‐SFA scale has a bi‐factor structure. The Cronbach's α coefficient was high. Correlation analysis showed that each factor of the J‐SFA scale was significantly weakly to moderately correlated with social anxiety symptoms and trait mindfulness, and the J‐SFA scale's factors were significantly or non‐significantly very weakly correlated with attentional control functions. Conclusion The findings indicate that the J‐SFA demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity for our sample and provide impetus for future research into the measure for clinical and nonclinical samples in Japan.

Self-focused attention, cost/probability bias, and avoidance behavior mediate the relationship between trait mindfulness and social anxiety: A cross-sectional study

“…We distributed the questionnaires, explained the ethical considerations in writing and verbally, and asked for the students’ consent to participate. The set of questionnaires consisted of the Japanese version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire ( Sugiura et al, 2012 ), the Japanese version of Self-Focused Attention Scale ( Noda et al, 2021a ), the Speech Cost/Probability Scale ( Noda et al, 2017b ), and the Japanese version of Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale ( Asakura et al, 2002 ) and was completed in the order listed to minimize the psychological burden in responding. Of the original sample, 367 participants (160 men, 204 women, and 3 who did not indicate their gender) completed all the scales, with an effective response rate of 81.37%.…”

“…Trait mindfulness has been found to affect each of the following factors directly: self-focused attention, cost bias, probability bias, avoidance behavior, and social anxiety ( Schmertz et al, 2012 ; Noda et al, 2017a , 2018b ). A high state of self-focused attention implies sensitivity to internal self-related information in threatening social situations ( Bögels et al, 1996 ; Noda et al, 2021a ). Since mindfulness is an attitude of continuous awareness of external stimuli and internal experiences but not reacting to one’s own experiences ( Cardaciotto et al, 2008 ), it may be negatively associated with self-focused attention.…”

“…According to the cognitive behavioral models of SAD ( Clark and Wells, 1995 ; Rapee and Heimberg, 1997 ; Hofmann and Otto, 2008 ), self-focused attention, cost/probability bias, and avoidance behavior are maintaining and exacerbating factors of social anxiety. Self-focused attention refers to the perception of internal self-related information, such as body state, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in threatening social situations ( Bögels et al, 1996 ; Noda et al, 2021a ). Individuals with high self-focused attention have a higher degree of social anxiety symptoms than those with low self-focused attention ( Noda et al, 2021a ).…”

“…Self-focused attention refers to the perception of internal self-related information, such as body state, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in threatening social situations ( Bögels et al, 1996 ; Noda et al, 2021a ). Individuals with high self-focused attention have a higher degree of social anxiety symptoms than those with low self-focused attention ( Noda et al, 2021a ). Furthermore, heightened self-focused attention increases negative cognitions such as cost/probability bias, and contributes to the exacerbation of social anxiety and avoidance behavior ( Clark and Wells, 1995 ; Rapee and Heimberg, 1997 ; Hofmann and Otto, 2008 ).…”

“…Mindfulness is defined as “paying attention in a particular way—on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” ( Kabat-Zinn, 1994 , p. 4). Trait mindfulness is negatively correlated with social anxiety and its maintaining factors, such as self-focused attention, cost/probability bias, and avoidance behavior ( Schmertz et al, 2012 ; Noda et al, 2017a , 2018a , b , 2021a ). Kocovski et al (2015) also indicated that trait mindfulness predicts improvement in social anxiety.…”