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Azoulay R, Gilboa-Schechtman E. CyberStatus: Responses to status manipulation and fears of positive and negative evaluations. J Anxiety Disord 2024; 103:102845. [PMID: 38447231 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2024.102845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Fear of positive evaluation (FPE) and fear of negative evaluation (FNE), which play distinct and central roles in social anxiety (SA), are postulated to reflect conflicting forces in hierarchal group contexts. Yet, experimental studies testing these assumptions are scarce. We examined the impact of status positions on FPE, FNE, and SA using a novel manipulation, CyberStatus. Participants (N = 557) provided self-descriptive statements before being randomly assigned to high, intermediate, or low-status conditions. Next, they reported their emotions, status, and belongingness-related cognitions and adjusted their self-presentation. FPE was more strongly linked to self-presentation modifications in the high- compared to intermediate-status conditions and positively associated with perceived status in the low vs. intermediate conditions. Furthermore, FPE and SA were more linked to belongingness in low vs. intermediate status conditions while FNE demonstrated the reversed pattern. These findings support and expand the evolutionary perspective on evaluation fears and emphasize the importance of assessing the linkage between status and belongingness systems in SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Azoulay
- Department of Psychology and Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Center, Bar-Ilan University, Israel.
| | - Eva Gilboa-Schechtman
- Department of Psychology and Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Center, Bar-Ilan University, Israel
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2
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Fredrick JW, Luebbe AM. Prospective Associations Between Fears of Negative Evaluation, Fears of Positive Evaluation, and Social Anxiety Symptoms in Adolescence. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024; 55:195-205. [PMID: 35790648 PMCID: PMC9255539 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01396-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and fear of positive evaluation (FPE) are independently associated with social anxiety symptoms in adolescence, though no study has tested these relations longitudinally. The current study examined longitudinal relations between FNE, FPE, and social anxiety symptoms using a multi-informant design, in addition to testing adolescent gender as a moderator. Adolescents (N = 113; Mage = 12.39; Girls = 44.2%) and parents completed measures of FNE, FPE, and two ratings of social anxiety approximately 6 months apart. FNE and FPE demonstrated significant stability over time, but neither predicted change in the other construct. Adolescent and parent-reported FNE, but not FPE, predicted increased social anxiety symptoms. Adolescent report of social anxiety symptoms predicted increased FPE over time, whereas parent report of social anxiety symptoms predicted increased FNE. Contrary to hypothesis, gender did not moderate any of the pathways in the model. Findings provide the first evidence that FNE may function as a risk factor for increased social anxiety in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Fredrick
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Aaron M Luebbe
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
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3
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Shin J, Rodebaugh TL. The role of fear of evaluation in group perception. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 100:102791. [PMID: 37924612 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is associated with interpersonal impairment. One possible reason for this dysfunction is that people with SAD evaluate others differently on dimensions of warmth and dominance compared to individuals without the disorder. In the current study, we examined whether two core constructs of SAD, fear of negative evaluation and fear of positive evaluation, affect the judgments that people make about groups based on warmth and dominance. We also investigated whether racial similarity (i.e., whether someone is the same race as those they're interacting with) and ethnic identity (i.e., one's sense of belonging to a particular social group) played a role in the types of evaluations people made. We created vignettes about groups varying in warmth and dominance, as well as photos varying in racial makeup. We presented photo-vignette pairs to participants and asked them to rate their desire to interact with the groups depicted in the photo-vignette. Participants in general reported greater desire to interact with warmer and less dominant groups. People with higher fear of negative evaluation reported higher desire for interaction with warmer groups, and those with higher fear of positive evaluation reported higher desire to interact with less dominant groups. We did not find any support for our hypothesis that people with stronger ethnic identity would show greater desire to interact with groups that were more similar to their race. Implications for treatment and directions for further research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Shin
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, USA.
| | - Thomas L Rodebaugh
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, USA
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4
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Olino TM, Birk SL, Case JAC, Weeks J. An Initial examination of fear of negative and positive evaluation in youth. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 100:102784. [PMID: 37839197 PMCID: PMC10842223 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and fear of positive evaluation (FPE) are both core features of social anxiety. The majority of research with these constructs has been done with older adolescents and adults, with only one previous study examining FNE and FPE in childhood. However, this previous work relied exclusively on parent-report of youth FNE and FPE. Here, we examined the factor structure of FNE and FPE using youth self-reports. Moreover, we examined the associations with dimensions of internalizing and externalizing problems. We found that two-factor structure of FNE and FPE was a marginal fit to the data. Exploratory models identified three items that showed significant cross-loadings on non-target factors. Overall, we found that FNE was associated with dimensions of internalizing problems reported by youth and their mothers. FPE was associated with internalizing problems reported by youth, but not parents. Associations between FNE and clinical outcomes were stronger than those for FPE. This study demonstrates promise of FNE and FPE in youth and highlights important directions for future research.
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Akkuş K. Fear of Positive Evaluation and Loneliness: Mediating Role of Social Anxiety and Suppression. Psychol Rep 2023:332941231197154. [PMID: 37612839 DOI: 10.1177/00332941231197154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness is a commonly observed problem that is associated with several mental and physical health outcomes. Although research shows that fear of negative evaluation is related to loneliness, no study has examined the role of fear of positive evaluation (FPE) on loneliness. This study investigated the mediator role of social anxiety and suppression in the relationship between FPE and loneliness using an undergraduate sample (N = 467). The results show that FPE is positively associated with loneliness and that this relationship is mediated by social anxiety and suppression. This study highlights the importance of the FPE in understanding loneliness and can guide intervention programs for loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray Akkuş
- Department of Psychology, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyon, Turkey
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6
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Jia Y, Yue Y. Fear of positive evaluation mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and fear of negative evaluation in nursing students: A cross-sectional study. J Prof Nurs 2023; 47:88-94. [PMID: 37295917 DOI: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fear of evaluation (including the negative and positive ones) has been the focus of scholarly attention as one of the core components of social anxiety. However, most existing research has focused on participants with social anxiety. Previous research has suggested that self-efficacy and fear of positive evaluation are associated with fear of negative evaluation. Still, it remains unknown whether there is an association between the three. For undergraduate nursing students in complex social environments, understanding the association between self-efficacy and fear of positive and negative evaluation is essential to facilitate the high-quality development of nursing talent. OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the mediating role of fear of positive evaluation in the relationship between self-efficacy and fear of negative evaluation. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 824 undergraduate nursing students using the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale-Straightforward Items, the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation of the variables. t-test or ANOVA was used as a univariate analysis. A bootstrap test was conducted to verify the mediating effect through the SPSS macro plugin PROCESS v3.3, with P < 0.05 indicating a statistically significant difference. FINDINGS Self-efficacy, fear of positive evaluation, and fear of negative evaluation were significantly associated. Self-efficacy directly and negatively predicted fear of negative evaluation (B = -3.14, p < 0.001). Fear of positive evaluation partially mediated between self-efficacy and fear of negative evaluation, with a mediating effect size of 38.22 %. DISCUSSION Self-efficacy can directly and negatively influence fear of negative evaluation. Meanwhile, it can also indirectly reduce the fear of negative evaluation by reducing the fear of positive evaluation. Nursing educators can improve the fear of negative evaluation by increasing students' self-efficacy and encouraging them to view positive assessments correctly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Jia
- School of nursing, Guizhou Medical University, nine # Beijing Road, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuexue Yue
- School of nursing, Guizhou Medical University, nine # Beijing Road, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China.
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Yilmaz G, Yildirim EA, Tabakcı AS. Comparison of Social-Evaluative Anxiety and Theory of Mind Functions in Social Anxiety Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Healthy Controls. Psychopathology 2023; 56:440-452. [PMID: 37062284 DOI: 10.1159/000529880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the similarities in poor social competence and clinical manifestations of poor social behavior, no study has compared the theory of mind performance between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and schizophrenia, considering the effect of social-evaluative anxiety and neurocognitive functions. In our study, we aimed to compare the theory of mind functions and social-evaluative anxiety between patients with SAD and schizophrenia and healthy controls and to examine the relationship between the theory of mind, neurocognitive skills, and social-evaluative anxiety. METHODS Thirty-four consecutive patients with schizophrenia, 29 patients with SAD, and 30 controls matched by age, education level, and sex were enrolled in the study. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM, Beck Depression Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Theory of Mind measures (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Hinting Task, Faux Pas Test), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale, Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale-Short Form, and neuropsychological tests were administered to all participants. RESULTS A greater significant deterioration in theory of mind and neurocognitive functions was found in patients with schizophrenia compared to those with SAD and healthy controls. Social evaluation anxiety was highest in patients with SAD. Although social-evaluative anxiety was associated with the theory of mind function in schizophrenia, only fear of positive evaluation was associated with SAD. In all groups, neither theory of mind nor neurocognitive ability measures were correlated with social anxiety levels and related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The impaired theory of mind functioning detected in our study is more prominent in the schizophrenia group and largely independent of anxiety in schizophrenia and SAD. Although social evaluation anxiety, as a transdiagnostic concept, seems to be independent of theory of mind function in general, fear of positive evaluation seems to be associated with hinting in both disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorkem Yilmaz
- Private Practice, Psychiatry Department, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ejder Akgun Yildirim
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdulkadir Sencer Tabakcı
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
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8
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Peker M, Akkuş K. Fear of positive evaluation differentially predicts social anxiety: a six-month longitudinal panel study. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37359644 PMCID: PMC10066961 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04597-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated whether (a) fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and fear of positive evaluation (FPE) prospectively predict the other, (b) FPE predicts social anxiety controlling for FNE, and (c) FPE predicts social anxiety symptoms but not general anxiety and depression. Data were collected from a student sample at two time points over six months. The cross-lagged structural equation modeling results revealed that FNE and FPE do not prospectively predict the other, FPE positively predicts social anxiety symptoms controlling for FNE, and FPE does not significantly predict general anxiety or depression. These results confirmed that FNE and FPE are distinctively related to social anxiety. Moreover, the study findings indicated that FPE may be a factor unique to social anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Peker
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Koray Akkuş
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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Zhang Y, Chen J, Gao W, Chen W, Xiao Z, Qi Y, Turel O, He Q. From fears of evaluation to social anxiety: The longitudinal relationships and neural basis in healthy young adults. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100345. [PMID: 36381587 PMCID: PMC9630624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2022.100345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental health problem, and its core cognitive manifestation is the persistent fear of being evaluated, including both negatively (FNE) and positively (FPE). This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationships of FNE, FPE and SAD and explore their neural basis. METHODS Three samples were retrieved in this study. First, the data of 649 college students who completed a survey and fMRI scan were used to explore the neural basis of FNE, FPE, and SAD symptoms. Next, the data of 450 participants who completed the same survey twice were used to examine the longitudinal relationships of the variables. Finally, the overlapping of the two samples (N = 288) who completed two surveys and the fMRI scan were used to establish a brain-behavior model. RESULTS Both FNE and FPE predicted SAD, and SAD also predicted FPE. The neural signals of subregions in prefrontal cortex were correlated with the scores of FNE, FPE and SAD. Abnormal prefrontal signals influenced SAD symptoms via fears of evaluation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings explain the behavioral and neural underpinnings of social anxiety from a fear of evaluation angle. This contributes to a better theorical understanding of SAD and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junwen Chen
- Research School of Psychology, College of Health & Medicine, The Australia National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Wei Gao
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wanting Chen
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhibing Xiao
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yawei Qi
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ofir Turel
- School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Qinghua He
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China,Southwest University Branch, Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment toward Basic Education Quality, Chongqing, China,Corresponding author at: Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Rd, Chongqing, 400715 China.
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10
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Wilson GA, Malivoire BL, Cassin SE, Antony MM. A mixed methods investigation of reasons underlying fear of positive evaluation. Clin Psychol Psychother 2022; 30:473-485. [PMID: 36523260 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Fear of negative evaluation (FNE) is a hallmark feature of social anxiety disorder (SAD). There is also evidence that people with SAD fear receiving positive evaluation and that fear of positive evaluation (FPE) is distinct from FNE. However, researchers have speculated that concerns related to negative evaluation may actually underlie FPE. This study sought to advance our understanding of FPE by employing both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the reasons underlying participants' endorsement of FPE on the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale and the extent to which these reasons reflect FNE versus FPE in a sample of individuals with SAD (n = 47) and a nonclinical comparison group (n = 49). Results indicated that responses to the FPES items primarily reflected an underlying FNE. Consistent with contemporary cognitive-behavioural theories of SAD, fear of proximal or eventual negative judgement emerged as the most common reason for participants' responses on the FPES. However, participants reported other reasons that did not reflect FNE, such as fear of hurting people's feelings and uncertainty associated with positive evaluation. All of the reasons underlying participants' ratings on the FPES were reported by both the SAD group and the nonclinical comparison group; however, individuals with SAD endorsed each of the reasons to a greater extent. These findings suggest that the FPES does not exclusively assess FPE as intended; however, the emergence and endorsement of reasons other than FNE suggest that FPE exists as a distinct construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian A Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bailee L Malivoire
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephanie E Cassin
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin M Antony
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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11
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Gök BG, Yalçınkaya-Alkar Ö. Clarifying the association of social anxiety with cognitive variables: The role of self-esteem, self-perception, fears of positive and negative evaluation, and post-event processing. Scand J Psychol 2022; 64:278-287. [PMID: 36436194 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Theoretical models of social anxiety disorder (SAD) have identified several cognitive factors (fear of negative evaluation [FNE], self-perception, self-esteem, and post-event processing [PEP]) that play a role in the maintenance of the disorder. The current study aimed at testing both the cognitive factors addressed in these different models and the fear of positive evaluation (FPE) in the same construct. A non-clinical emerging adulthood sample (N = 325) were subjected to structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of the SEM showed that FPE, FNE, and self-concepts (self-esteem and self-perception) were significantly associated with social anxiety. Effect sizes indicated that the variables that most affected social anxiety were FPE, self-perception, FNE, and self-esteem, respectively. However, although it was significant in the conceptual model, the direct effect of social anxiety on PEP was not significant in the full model. On the other hand, the present findings add further support to the roles of negative self-perception and low self-esteem in social anxiety. Moreover, FPE may not be just delayed/postponed FNE. Considering the effect size of FPE on social anxiety, targeting it when appropriate in treatment may reduce the severity of social anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Göktürk Gök
- Department of Psychology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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12
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Two-Factor Structure of Social-Evaluative Fear in Children: Distinguishing Fear of Positive and Negative Evaluation in Social Anxiety. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-022-09968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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13
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Multi-Informant Assessments of Adolescents’ Fears of Negative and Positive Evaluation: Criterion and Incremental Validity in Relation to Observed Behavior. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-020-09855-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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14
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Johnson AR, Bank SR, Summers M, Hyett MP, Erceg-Hurn DM, Kyron MJ, McEvoy PM. A longitudinal assessment of the bivalent fear of evaluation model with social interaction anxiety in social anxiety disorder. Depress Anxiety 2020; 37:1253-1260. [PMID: 33001532 DOI: 10.1002/da.23099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Bivalent Fear of Evaluation Model proposes that the fears of positive and negative evaluation each uniquely contribute to social anxiety severity. However, the debate continues as to whether these are distinct constructs, and, if so, the degree of influence each has on social anxiety severity. This study used a longitudinal evaluation of these relationships in a clinical sample to identify whether the two fears differentially change over time and differentially relate to social anxiety severity. METHODS Individuals with a social anxiety disorder (N = 105) completed measures of fears of negative and positive evaluation weekly, and social interaction anxiety monthly, for 12 weeks. Temporal relationships were assessed using residual dynamic structural equation modeling. RESULTS Fears of positive and negative evaluation both predicted the future status of the other (ϕ = 0.18, 95% credibility interval [0.10-0.28] and ϕ = 0.22 [0.12-0.35], respectively). Fear of negative evaluation (ϕ = 0.16 [0.05-0.28]) but not positive evaluation (ϕ < 0.01 [-0.09 to 0.10]) directly predicted future social anxiety severity. Fear of positive evaluation only indirectly predicted anxiety severity via fear of negative evaluation. CONCLUSIONS Previous fears of negative evaluation could not fully explain future fears of positive evaluation (or vice-versa), which is consistent with the two constructs being likely distinct in social anxiety disorder. Given its more direct relationship with social anxiety severity, fear of negative evaluation should be targeted in treatment, as this could both directly reduce social anxiety severity and minimize the indirect impact of fear of positive evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samantha R Bank
- School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Interventions, North Metro Health Service, Perth, Australia
| | - Mark Summers
- Centre for Clinical Interventions, North Metro Health Service, Perth, Australia
| | | | - David M Erceg-Hurn
- Centre for Clinical Interventions, North Metro Health Service, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Peter M McEvoy
- School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Interventions, North Metro Health Service, Perth, Australia
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15
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Disentangling the effects of attentional difficulties on fears of social evaluation and social anxiety symptoms: Unique interactions with sluggish cognitive tempo. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 131:39-46. [PMID: 32919100 PMCID: PMC7669641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although fears of negative and positive social evaluation are hallmark cognitive features of social anxiety, attentional difficulties may exacerbate the relation between fears of social evaluation and social anxiety. Thus, the goal of the current study was to test whether two different types of self-reported attentional difficulties, specifically sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattention symptoms, moderate the relation between fears of social evaluation and social anxiety. Participants (N = 4756; Mage = 19.28 years; 72.7% female) enrolled in five universities across the United States completed self-report measures of fears of negative and positive evaluation and psychopathology symptoms. Results indicated a significant two-way interaction of fear of negative evaluation and SCT in relation to social anxiety symptoms, as well as a significant two-way interaction of fear of positive evaluation and SCT in relation to social anxiety symptoms. In both instances, the associations between fears of negative and positive evaluation in relation to social anxiety became increasingly stronger at higher levels of SCT. Conversely, the interactions between fears of negative and positive evaluation with ADHD inattentive symptoms were non-significant. These results are the first to report that self-reported SCT, but not ADHD inattentive symptoms, exacerbate the relation between fears of social evaluation and social anxiety, and suggest that attentional difficulties characteristic of SCT may prolong engagement in fears.
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16
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Fredrick JW, Luebbe AM. Fear of positive evaluation and social anxiety: A systematic review of trait-based findings. J Affect Disord 2020; 265:157-168. [PMID: 32090737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although fear of negative evaluation (FNE) has long been recognized as a core cognitive bias in social anxiety, fear of positive evaluation (FPE) has received considerable attention over the past several years. The literature would benefit from a synthesis of the current state of the research in order to contribute to our understanding of FPE. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was conducted in order to address several questions: (a) Is self-reported FPE distinct from self-reported FNE? (b) Is self-reported FPE related to social anxiety symptomatology? and (c) Is self-reported FPE uniquely related to social anxiety symptomatology when accounting for self-reported FNE? Inclusion criteria included studies published in English, testing FPE and FNE with trait-based measures, and testing social anxiety with either self-report or diagnostic interviews. RESULTS There were 33 studies identified in this review that provided convincing empirical support for each of these questions across community and clinical samples of adolescents, undergraduates, and adults. LIMITATIONS The systematic review did not have access to null results, present meta-analytic results, or include studies that evaluated FPE or social anxiety with experimental designs. CONCLUSIONS The findings from the systematic review support updated theoritical models of social anxiety and highlight the importance of assessing and treating FPE in clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Fredrick
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, 90 N. Patterson Avenue, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States.
| | - Aaron M Luebbe
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, 90 N. Patterson Avenue, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
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17
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Birk SL, Horenstein A, Weeks J, Olino T, Heimberg R, Goldin PR, Gross JJ. Neural responses to social evaluation: The role of fear of positive and negative evaluation. J Anxiety Disord 2019; 67:102114. [PMID: 31445390 PMCID: PMC6759361 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2019.102114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
One of the core features of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the persistent fear of being evaluated. Fear of evaluation includes fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and fear of positive evaluation (FPE). Few studies have examined the relationship between self-reported FNE and FPE and neural responses to simulated negative and positive social evaluation. In the current study, 56 participants, 35 with SAD and 21 healthy controls, completed questionnaires to assess dimensions of social anxiety including FNE and FPE, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. Participants also completed a social evaluation task, which involved viewing people delivering criticism and praise, and a control task, which involved counting asterisks, during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Although whole-brain analyses did not reveal significant associations between self-reported constructs and neural responses to social evaluation, region of interest analyses for the sample as a whole revealed that both FNE and social anxiety symptoms were associated with greater neural responses to both criticism and praise in emotion-processing brain regions, including the amygdala and anterior insula. There were no significant associations between FPE or depressive symptoms and neural responses to criticism or praise for the sample as a whole. Future research should examine the relationship between FNE, FPE, and neural responses to self-referent social evaluation in an unselected sample to assess a full range of fear of evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Justin Weeks
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, United States
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Reichenberger J, Wiggert N, Wilhelm FH, Liedlgruber M, Voderholzer U, Hillert A, Timmer B, Blechert J. Fear of negative and positive evaluation and reactivity to social-evaluative videos in social anxiety disorder. Behav Res Ther 2019; 116:140-148. [PMID: 30921745 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is marked by persistent fear of being scrutinized by others. This and most diagnostic symptoms relate to some form of fear of negative evaluation (FNE). More recent accounts of SAD, such as the Bivalent Fear of Evaluation Model, however, complement FNE with fear of positive evaluation (FPE), described as distress and avoidance of positive feedback. An explicit test of the incremental validity of FPE in discriminating SAD patients from controls - over and on top of the explanatory power of FPE - is currently missing and generally, well controlled laboratory experiments with positive and negative social stimuli in this patient group are rare. To fill this gap, we exposed 35 patients with SAD and healthy controls (HCs) to short social-evaluative video clips with actors expressing negative and positive as well as neutral statements while recording reactivity on experiential measures (valence, arousal, and approval ratings) as well as on facial electromyography and electrocardiography. In addition, participants completed questionnaire measures of FNE and FPE. Results revealed that FPE questionnaire scores as well as experiential (valence and appreciation) and electromyographical reactivity measures to positive videos improved prediction of group membership beyond the predictive power of FNE questionnaires scores and reactivity to negative videos. Results document the importance of FPE to more fully characterize and understand social anxiety and SAD. Implications include amendments to future diagnostic criteria, theoretical models, and treatment approaches for SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Reichenberger
- Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nicole Wiggert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Brandenburg Medical School, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Frank H Wilhelm
- Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Health Psychology, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Liedlgruber
- Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Health Psychology, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ulrich Voderholzer
- Schön Klinik Roseneck [Schoen Hospital Roseneck], Prien am Chiemsee, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Hillert
- Schön Klinik Roseneck [Schoen Hospital Roseneck], Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
| | - Barbara Timmer
- Schön Klinik Roseneck [Schoen Hospital Roseneck], Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
| | - Jens Blechert
- Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salzburg, Austria.
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Reichenberger J, Blechert J. Malaise with praise: A narrative review of 10 years of research on the concept of Fear of Positive Evaluation in social anxiety. Depress Anxiety 2018; 35:1228-1238. [PMID: 30144225 PMCID: PMC6519229 DOI: 10.1002/da.22808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Social anxiety is characterized by a fear of being negatively evaluated by others (i.e., Fear of Negative Evaluation [FNE]). In 2008, Weeks, Heimberg, and Rodebaugh proposed Fear of Positive Evaluation (FPE) as a second cognitive component in social anxiety. The article presents an overview of FPE, its psycho-evolutionary theoretical foundation and assessment by the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale as well as relevant psychometric research on demographic characteristics. The relationship of FPE with a wide range of established dimensions from clinical, personality, and social psychology (i.e., self-esteem, perfectionism, or quality of life) will be reviewed. The role of FPE for psychological comorbidities such as other anxiety disorders, depression, eating, and substance use disorders as well as for treatment of social anxiety will be discussed. Future research might address questions of causality of FPE relative to related constructs, further data on psychometric properties, as well as on its independence from FNE in longitudinal studies. In sum, FPE seems to be a valid and reliable construct that explains cognitions, emotions, and behavior related to social anxiety at subclinical and clinical levels and therefore enriches the psychometric repertoire in the fields of social psychology, personality, and clinical psychology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Reichenberger
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive NeuroscienceUniversity of SalzburgSalzburgAustria
| | - Jens Blechert
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive NeuroscienceUniversity of SalzburgSalzburgAustria
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The mediating role of fear of evaluation between psychological Suzhi and social anxiety among Chinese secondary school students. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-018-0009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Zahavi T, Bar-Kalifa E, Sened H, Rafaeli E. Partners' Support During Good Times: Associations With Fears of Positive and Negative Evaluation. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1521/jscp.2018.37.8.559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Capitalization interactions within romantic couples, in which they share positive events with each other, are significantly tied to their satisfaction and overall wellbeing. Recent work suggests that social anxiety is negatively associated with beneficial capitalization interactions (i.e., making capitalization bids and responding with active and constructive responses). To further investigate this understanding, we offer a deeper and differentiating look at two core components of social anxiety: fears of positive and negative evaluation. In addition, we offer an innovative look at the varying self-disclosures of capitalization recipients, by using a novel index—Relevant Talking Time (RTT) which examines the duration of relevantly disclosing and discussing one's own good event. We reasoned that the two types of evaluative fears might have different connections to capitalization processes, considering provision, receipt, and self-disclosure. Our findings (N = 74; 37 community couples in a lab-videotaped‘ interaction) suggest that high fear of positive evaluation is associated with poorer provision of active-constructive capitalization, whereas high fear of negative evaluation is associated with a reduced disclosers' RTT. In addition, our results interestingly demonstrate that disclosers' RTT is tied to their partners' anxiety characteristics as well. We discuss the possible implications and explanations of our findings.
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Long P, Neff KD. Self-compassion is associated with reduced self-presentation concerns and increased student communication behavior. LEARNING AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lindif.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Howell AN, Carleton RN, Horswill SC, Parkerson HA, Weeks JW, Asmundson GJG. Intolerance of uncertainty moderates the relations among religiosity and motives for religion, depression, and social evaluation fears. J Clin Psychol 2018; 75:95-115. [PMID: 30238465 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) underlies several psychological disorders, and religion may help some individuals cope with IU and/or protect against psychological symptoms. It was hypothesized that IU would moderate the relations between coping motives for being religious, as well as religiosity, and common psychological disorder symptoms: Depression and social evaluation fears. METHODS Study 1 included 473 self-reporting community members (M age = 48, 48% female, 80% Protestant/Catholic). Study 2 included 412 self-reporting undergraduates ( M age = 19, 71% female, 76% Protestant/Catholic). RESULTS For Study 1, coping-based motives related to greater depression for young adults with above-average IU and to lower depression for young adults with below-average IU. For Study 2, religiosity related to lower depression and fear of negative evaluation for individuals with above-average IU and to greater fear of positive evaluation for individuals with below-average IU. CONCLUSION IU may be an important mechanism between aspects of religion and psychological disorder symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R Nicholas Carleton
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Samantha C Horswill
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Holly A Parkerson
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
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van Tuijl LA, Verwoerd JRL, de Jong PJ. Influence of sad mood induction on implicit self-esteem and its relationship with symptoms of depression and anxiety. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2018; 60:104-110. [PMID: 29458968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Implicit self-esteem (ISE) refers to the valence of triggered associations when the self is activated. Despite theories, previous studies often fail to observe low ISE in depression and anxiety. It is feasible that sad mood is required to activate dysfunctional self-associations. The present study tested the following hypotheses: i) ISE is lower following a sad mood induction (SMI); ii) the relationship between ISE and level of depression/anxiety symptoms is relatively strong when ISE is measured during sad mood; iii) individuals with higher levels of depression/anxiety symptoms will show a relatively large decrease in ISE following a SMI. METHODS In this mixed-designed study, university students completed the self-esteem implicit association test (IAT) either at baseline (control condition; n = 46) or following a SMI (experimental condition; n = 49). To test the third hypothesis, a SMI and IAT were also given in the control condition. Both conditions completed self-report measures of explicit self-esteem (ESE), and symptoms of depression and anxiety. RESULTS There was no support for the first two hypotheses, but some support that symptoms of anxiety correlated with larger decreases in ISE following a SMI which partly supported the third hypothesis. This disappeared when controlling for multiple testing. LIMITATIONS Results are limited to non-clinical participants. CONCLUSIONS While ISE was robust against increases in sad mood, there was some tentative support that symptoms of anxiety were related to larger decreases in ISE following a SMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonneke A van Tuijl
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Johan R L Verwoerd
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter J de Jong
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Jordan DG, Winer ES, Salem T, Kilgore J. Longitudinal evaluation of anhedonia as a mediator of fear of positive evaluation and other depressive symptoms. Cogn Emot 2017; 32:1437-1447. [PMID: 28278732 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2017.1289895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Fear of positive evaluation (FPE) is experiencing dread during real or potential praise. FPE is associated with social anxiety, but its relation to depressive symptoms is unclear. Anhedonia is a core symptom of depression related to symptoms of anxiety in cross-sectional research. The current study investigated the indirect effect of FPE on depressive symptoms via anhedonia over time. One-hundred ninety-six participants completed three waves of questionnaires over a total timespan of approximately four months via Amazon's Mechanical Turk, including measures of FPE, depressive symptoms, and anticipatory and consummatory anhedonia. Findings indicated that anticipatory anhedonia at Time 2 mediated the relationship between FPE at Time 1 and depressive symptoms at Time 3. Consummatory anhedonia, however, did not. Each model was contextualised by accounting for prospective covarying relationships, such as depressive symptoms predicting the same symptoms at later waves. The constellation of findings is considered within a reward devaluation framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gage Jordan
- a Department of Psychology , Mississippi State University , Starkville , MS , USA
| | - E Samuel Winer
- a Department of Psychology , Mississippi State University , Starkville , MS , USA
| | - Taban Salem
- a Department of Psychology , Mississippi State University , Starkville , MS , USA
| | - Jenna Kilgore
- a Department of Psychology , Mississippi State University , Starkville , MS , USA
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Stein JE, Modini M, Hunt C, Abbott MJ. A Systematic Review of the Psychometric Properties of Trait Cognitive Self-Report Measures in Social Anxiety. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-016-9573-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Schwarz M, Reichenberger J, Schwitalla M, König D, Wilhelm FH, Voderholzer U, Hillert A, Blechert J. Furcht vor positiver sozialer Bewertung: Übersetzung und Validierung einer deutschsprachigen Version der FPES. DIAGNOSTICA 2016. [DOI: 10.1026/0012-1924/a000147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Neuere Forschung deutet darauf hin, dass neben der Furcht vor negativer Evaluation (FNE) auch die Furcht vor positiver Evaluation (FPE) eine wesentliche Rolle für die soziale Phobie spielt. Zur Untersuchung dieses Konstrukts entwickelten Weeks, Heimberg und Rodebaugh (2008) die Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale (FPES). Da die FPE bislang nicht im deutschsprachigen Raum untersucht wurde, werden in dieser Arbeit eine Übersetzung der FPES und ihre Validierung anhand von 4 Studien vorgestellt. Neben einem einfaktoriellen Messmodell konnten interne Konsistenz und die Abgrenzung zur FNE gefunden werden. Zudem demonstrierte die Skala eine angemessene Test-Retest-Reliabilität sowie gute Konstruktvalidität, Kriteriumsvalidität und Sensitivität bei sozial phobischen Patientinnen und Patienten. Zusammenfassend weist die deutsche FPES gute psychometrische Eigenschaften auf und trägt zu einer verbesserten Erfassung von sozialer Phobie bei.
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Social anxiety disorder and quality of life: How fears of negative and positive evaluation relate to specific domains of life satisfaction. J Anxiety Disord 2016; 38:1-8. [PMID: 26709747 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) experience functional impairment in social, educational, and occupational arenas, contributing to poor quality of life. Previous research using the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) has identified four distinct domains of quality of life among individuals with SAD: Achievement, Personal Growth, Social Functioning, and Surroundings. The present study was designed to investigate how fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and fear of positive evaluation (FPE) relate to the four QOLI domains among individuals with SAD. We also examined the relationships of FNE and FPE to Satisfaction and Importance ratings on the QOLI. Individuals with SAD (N=129) completed a battery of questionnaires prior to initiating treatment. FNE and FPE showed distinct relationships with the four QOLI domains, even after controlling for demographic characteristics and comorbid depression. Both FNE and FPE were associated with ratings of Satisfaction with the QOLI domains, but neither was associated with ratings of Importance. Our findings highlight the differential impacts of FNE and FPE on SAD. Treatment implications are discussed.
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Abstract
Fear of negative evaluation (FNE) is a recognised diagnostic feature of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Recently, the role of fear of positive evaluation (FPE) as a factor contributing to SAD has been a focus of research: there is evidence that FPE is associated with measures of social anxiety independent of measures of FNE and that measures of FPE may be sensitive to interventions for SAD. The present study examined the relationships between FPE, FNE and measures of social anxiety and depression in a sample assessed as suitable for group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for social anxiety (n = 35), and the responsiveness of measures of FPE and FNE to standard group CBT for social anxiety in a subset of this group (n = 20). Measures of FNE and FPE were positively associated with each other and with measures of social interaction anxiety, general social anxiety concerns, and depression. However, the relationship between the FPE measure and measures of general social anxiety concerns and depression was not significant when FNE was statistically controlled. This is consistent with the view that FPE is specifically related to social interaction anxiety. In this sample, a measure of FPE was reduced in a sample receiving standard group CBT for social anxiety compared to a waitlisted group. The implications of these findings for the conceptualisation of SAD and for the delivery of interventions for those with SAD are considered.
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Weeks JW, Zoccola PM. "Having the heart to be evaluated": The differential effects of fears of positive and negative evaluation on emotional and cardiovascular responses to social threat. J Anxiety Disord 2015; 36:115-26. [PMID: 26520055 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence supports fear of evaluation in general as important in social anxiety, including fear of positive evaluation (FPE) and fear of negative evaluation (FNE). The present study examined state responses to an impromptu speech task with a sample of 81 undergraduates. This study is the first to compare and contrast physiological responses associated with FPE and FNE, and to examine both FPE- and FNE-related changes in state anxiety/affect in response to perceived social evaluation during a speech. FPE uniquely predicted (relative to FNE/depression) increases in mean heart rate during the speech; in contrast, neither FNE nor depression related to changes in heart rate. Both FPE and FNE related uniquely to increases in negative affect and state anxiety during the speech. Furthermore, pre-speech state anxiety mediated the relationship between trait FPE and diminished positive affect during the speech. Implications for the theoretical conceptualization and treatment of social anxiety are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin W Weeks
- Center for Evaluation and Treatment of Anxiety, Department of Psychology, Porter Hall 200, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Peggy M Zoccola
- Psychosocial Processes and Health Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Porter Hall 200, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
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Weeks JW, Menatti AR, Howell AN. Psychometric evaluation of the Concerns of Social Reprisal Scale: Further explicating the roots of fear of positive evaluation. J Anxiety Disord 2015; 36:33-43. [PMID: 26414155 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Fear of positive evaluation (FPE) has been proposed to be an important feature of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and to be rooted, at least partly, in concerns of social reprisal due to positive impressions. In order to formally test this hypothesis, the Concerns of Social Reprisal Scale (CSRS) was developed. The purpose of the present series of studies was to examine the psychometric profile of the CSRS across several independent samples including: a large (n=981) undergraduate sample; a clinical sample of individuals diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (n=27), and a demographically-matched subsample of healthy control participants (n=24). The factorial validity, internal consistency, and construct validity of the CSRS were examined. Results across both studies provided support for the psychometric profile of the CSRS. The implications of concerns of social reprisal for the assessment of social anxiety symptoms, theoretical models of fear of evaluation and SAD, and their potential clinical utility with regard to treating SAD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin W Weeks
- Center for Evaluation and Treatment of Anxiety, Department of Psychology, Ohio University, 200 Porter Hall, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.
| | - Andrew R Menatti
- Center for Evaluation and Treatment of Anxiety, Department of Psychology, Ohio University, 200 Porter Hall, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Ashley N Howell
- Center for Evaluation and Treatment of Anxiety, Department of Psychology, Ohio University, 200 Porter Hall, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
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Examining the Relationships Among Social Anxiety, Fears of Evaluation, and Interpretation Bias. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-015-9694-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Howell AN, Buckner JD, Weeks JW. Fear of positive evaluation and alcohol use problems among college students: the unique impact of drinking motives. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2015; 29:274-286. [PMID: 25959018 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2015.1048509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There is strong empirical support that individuals with elevated social anxiety are at risk for alcohol-related impairment. Because social anxiety is a multifaceted construct, it is important to consider which specific facets contribute to alcohol problem vulnerability. For example, although social anxiety has traditionally been conceptualized as a fear of negative evaluation (FNE), emerging data suggest that fear of positive evaluation (FPE) is also an important factor in pathological social anxiety. The current manuscript reports novel findings regarding FPE, alcohol use motives, and reported alcohol use problems. DESIGN AND METHODS Participants included undergraduates from two American universities (n = 351) who completed a battery of measures assessing fears of evaluation, drinking motives, and alcohol usage related problems. RESULTS FPE significantly predicted alcohol use problems, above and beyond FNE. Also, coping and conformity motives for drinking, but not social or enhancement motives, each uniquely mediated the relationship between FPE and alcohol use problems. CONCLUSIONS FPE may be an important cognitive-affective vulnerability factor. With additional clinical research, FPE could serve as a meaningful therapeutic target in interventions designed to decrease problem drinking among highly socially anxious patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Howell
- a Department of Psychology , Ohio University , 200 Porter Hall, Athens , OH 45701 , USA
| | - Julia D Buckner
- b Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge , LA 70803 , USA
| | - Justin W Weeks
- a Department of Psychology , Ohio University , 200 Porter Hall, Athens , OH 45701 , USA
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Fear of Negative Evaluation as a Mediator of the Relation between Academic Stress, Anxiety and Depression in a Sample of Ghanaian College Students. PSYCHOLOGY AND DEVELOPING SOCIETIES 2015. [DOI: 10.1177/0971333614564747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the mediator effects of the fear of negative evaluation (FNE) on the relation between academic stress and psychological symptoms in a sample of Ghanaian college students (N = 431). A multi-step structural equation modelling (SEM) procedure was used to test the specified mediator model and several fit indices were calculated to assess how well the model fit the data. In addition, path coefficients were calculated to determine whether mediation had been established. The results indicated that the specified model produced a good fit to the data. Moreover, the findings revealed that FNE partially mediated the relation between academic stress and the psychological symptoms of anxiety and depression. Implications for the study’s findings are discussed and recommendations for future research are presented.
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Wei J, Zhang C, Li Y, Xue S, Zhang J. Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the fear of negative evaluation scale-brief (BFNE) and the BFNE-straightforward for middle school students. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0115948. [PMID: 25799570 PMCID: PMC4370572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The 12-item brief version of the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) is one of the most widely used instruments to assess fear of negative evaluation. Recent evidence strongly supports the version composed of 8 straightforward items (BFNE-S), which possessesstronger psychometric properties. The purpose of the current study is to examine the psychometric prop-erties of the Chinese versions of the BFNE and BFNE-S for middle school students. Methodology A total of 1009 middle school students were recruited in this study. The BFNE, the BFNE-S, the Friedman-Bendas Text Anxiety Scale (FBTAS), and the Social Anxiety Scale (SAS) were administered to 497 participants, and 52 participants were re-tested after four weeks. The BFNE, the BFNE-S, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR) wereadministered to 492 participants. The BFNE and BFNE-S significantly cor-related with all the scales, supporting their convergent, divergent and concurrent validity. Principal Findings The Cronbach's alpha of the BFNE (BFNE-S) was 0.864 (0.867) with 497 par-ticipants and 0.886 (0.844) with 492 participants, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.791 (0.855) (ICC). Although the EFA identified a two-factor solution in which the 8 straightfor-ward items loaded on one factor and the 4 reversed items loaded on the other, the CFA, using a random intercept model to control the wording effect, supported a unidimensional factor struc-ture of the BFNE. Both EFA and CFA supported the unidimensional assumption of the BFNE-S. The correlations of the BFNE and BFNE-S were 0.929 and 0.952 in two samples. Conclusions The Chinese versions of the BFNE and BFNE-S demonstrate adequate psychometric properties for assessing fear of negative evaluation. The results support their use among the Chinese middle school students. Considering its greater parsimony and excellent reliability and validity, the BFNE-S is a better tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wei
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Yadan Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Song Xue
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinfu Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University of China, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail:
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González-Díez Z, Calvete E, Riskind JH, Orue I. Test of an hypothesized structural model of the relationships between cognitive style and social anxiety: a 12-month prospective study. J Anxiety Disord 2015; 30:59-65. [PMID: 25602785 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to test whether social looming cognitive style accounts for the predictive association between early maladaptive schema domains and social anxiety. We predicted that early maladaptive schema domains would predict the increase of social anxiety over time and that social looming would act as a mediator between schema domains and social anxiety. A three-wave longitudinal design was used. The participants (N=471, 56.95% women) were Spanish adolescents and young adults aged between 16 and 25 years old (Mage=17.81, SD age=3.19). The results showed that three schema domains (impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits, and other-directedness) predicted the increase in social anxiety and that LCS for social threat acted as a mediator between other-directedness and social anxiety at T3. These results are important to improve the knowledge of the cognitive mechanisms that are involved in the occurrence and development of social anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahira González-Díez
- University of Deusto, Department of Personality, Psychological Assessment and Treatment, Apdo. 1, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Esther Calvete
- University of Deusto, Department of Personality, Psychological Assessment and Treatment, Apdo. 1, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - John H Riskind
- George Mason University, Department of Psychology, 9992 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031, United States
| | - Izaskun Orue
- University of Deusto, Department of Personality, Psychological Assessment and Treatment, Apdo. 1, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
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Reichenberger J, Wiggert N, Wilhelm FH, Weeks JW, Blechert J. “Don't put me down but don't be too nice to me either”: fear of positive vs. negative evaluation and responses to positive vs. negative social-evaluative films. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2015; 46:164-9. [PMID: 25460263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The bivalent fear of evaluation (BFOE) model suggests that fears of negative evaluation (FNE) and positive evaluation (FPE) are distinct features in social anxiety disorder as well as in non-clinical variations of social anxiety. The constructs can be measured utilizing the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale – Revised (BFNE-R) and the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale (FPES), respectively. Whereas the distinction between FNE and FPE has been well examined in survey studies, concomitant evidence from laboratory tasks is scarce. METHODS The present study tested whether subjective unpleasantness responses to short films simulating positive and negative evaluation from others are related to individual differences in FNE and FPE. Ninety-eight unselected individuals watched 24 short films displaying actors expressing positive, negative and neutral sentences and rated their responses on unpleasantness. Furthermore, pride responses to positive films were examined since these can be expected to discriminate between FPE and FNE. RESULTS As expected, higher BFNE-R scores were related to more unpleasant responding to negative films, whereas higher FPES scores were related to more unpleasant responding to positive films. Furthermore, experience of pride following positive films correlated positively with BFNE-R, but negatively with FPES scores. LIMITATIONS Participants were university students which limits representativeness. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that measures of FNE and FPE show distinct relationships with positive and negative social feedback which provides further evidence for the BFOE model in a laboratory setting.
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Sluis RA, Boschen MJ. Fear of evaluation in social anxiety: mediation of attentional bias to human faces. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2014; 45:475-83. [PMID: 25039035 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2014.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a debilitating psychological disorder characterised by excessive fears of one or more social or performance situations, where there is potential for evaluation by others. A recently expanded cognitive-behavioural model of SAD emphasizes that both the fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and the fear of positive evaluation (FPE) contribute to enduring symptoms of SAD. Research also suggests that socially anxious individuals may show biases toward threat relevant stimuli, such as angry faces. The current study utilised a modified version of the pictorial dot-probe task in order to examine whether FNE and FPE mediate the relationship between social anxiety and an attentional bias. A group of 38 participants with moderate to high levels of self-reported social anxiety were tested in groups of two to four people and were advised that they would be required to deliver an impromptu speech. All participants then completed an assessment of attentional bias using angry-neutral, happy-neutral, and angry-happy face pairs. Conditions were satisfied for only one mediation model, indicating that the relationship between social anxiety and attentional avoidance of angry faces was mediated by FPE. These findings have important clinical implications for types of treatment concerning cognitive symptoms of SAD, along with advancing models of social anxiety. Limitations and ideas for future research from the current study were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Sluis
- Griffith Health Institute and School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia
| | - Mark J Boschen
- Griffith Health Institute and School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia.
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Asnaani A, Rinck M, Becker E, Hofmann SG. The Effects of Approach-Avoidance Modification on Social Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2013; 38:226-238. [PMID: 24659832 DOI: 10.1007/s10608-013-9580-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive bias modification has recently been discussed as a possible intervention for mental disorders. A specific form of this novel treatment approach is approach-avoidance modification. In order to examine the efficacy of approach-avoidance modification for positive stimuli associated with social anxiety, we recruited 43 individuals with social anxiety disorder and randomly assigned them to a training (implicit training to approach smiling faces) or a control (equal approach and avoidance of smiling faces) condition in three sessions over the course of a one-week period. Dependent measures included clinician ratings, self-report measures of social anxiety, and overt behavior during behavioral approach tasks. No group differences in any of the outcome measures were observed after training. In addition, while individuals in the training group showed increased approach tendency in one of the sessions, this effect was inconsistent across the three sessions and did not result in long-term changes in implicit approach tendencies between the groups over the course of the entire study. These results suggest that approach-avoidance modification might result in short-lasting effects on implicit approach tendencies towards feared positive stimuli, but this modification may not result in meaningful behavioral change or symptom reduction in individuals with social anxiety disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Asnaani
- Boston University, Massachusetts, USA. Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike Rinck
- Boston University, Massachusetts, USA. Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eni Becker
- Boston University, Massachusetts, USA. Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Boston University, Massachusetts, USA. Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Weeks JW, Heimberg RG, Rodebaugh TL, Goldin PR, Gross JJ. Psychometric evaluation of the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale in patients with social anxiety disorder. Psychol Assess 2012; 24:301-12. [PMID: 21966932 PMCID: PMC4138968 DOI: 10.1037/a0025723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale (FPES; J. W. Weeks, R. G. Heimberg, & T. L. Rodebaugh, 2008) was designed to assess fear of positive evaluation, a proposed cognitive component of social anxiety. Although previous findings on the psychometric properties of the FPES have been highly encouraging, only 1 previous study has examined the psychometric profile of the FPES in a sample of patients with social anxiety disorder (T. A. Fergus et al., 2009). The primary purpose of the present study was to conduct a large multisite examination of the psychometric profile of the FPES among patients with a principal diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (n = 226; generalized subtype = 97.8%). Responses of nonanxious control participants (n = 42) were also examined. The factorial validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and treatment sensitivity of the FPES were strongly supported by our findings. Furthermore, an FPES cutoff score was identified for distinguishing levels of fear of positive evaluation characteristic of patients with social anxiety disorder from those characteristic of the control group. Results provide additional support for the psychometric properties of the FPES in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin W Weeks
- Center for Evaluation and Treatment of Anxiety, Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
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