Haunting self-images? The role of negative self-images in adolescent social anxiety disorder
Abstract
Background and objectives Negative distorted self-images (NSI) allegedly maintain social anxiety in adults suffering from social anxiety disorder (SAD). These NSI are activated in feared social situations and are often linked to past socially traumatic events. However, because empirical evidence on the presence and characteristics of such NSI in adolescents suffering from SAD is limited, the aim of the present study is to examine the nature of NSI in adolescent SAD patients. Methods Using a semi-structured interview, 31 adolescents with a primary diagnosis of SAD and 31 healthy adolescents (HA) who were matched for age and gender, completed a questionnaire set assessing the characteristics of NSI, social anxiety and depression. Results Relative to the HA-group, those suffering from SAD reported experiencing NSI significantly more frequently, more vividly, and with greater distress. No significant differences between the groups emerged regarding a link between the NSI and an autobiographical event. However, NSI were reported as more often having an observer-perspective in the SAD as compared to the HA-group. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that certain characteristics of the NSI predict social anxiety beyond the influence of depression in adolescents with SAD. Discussion NSI seem to be an important feature of adolescent SAD and phenomenological comparable to NSI in adults suffering from SAD. Conclusions Specific interventions aiming to correct NSI, which have proven…
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Young people with social anxiety disorder have been found to report spontaneous negative images that are experienced as more vivid and distressing than in those without social anxiety disorder.
“Similar to findings in adults with SAD (e.g., Hackmann, Clark, and McManus 2000), young people with SAD have been found to report spontaneous negative images that are experienced as more vivid and distressing than in those without SAD (e.g., distorted, mostly observer-perspective images of looking anxious, being embarrassed or making a mistake and being criticized; Schreiber and Steil 2013).”
From Negative Flashforward Imagery in Adolescent Social Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study of Imagery Reports and a Short EMDR Intervention. (2024) · cites this paper as Schreiber and Steil 2013
The mental imagery reports are consistent with the view that vivid and distressing FF imagery is a common experience in adolescents with SAD.
“The mental imagery reports are consistent with the view that vivid and distressing FF imagery is a common experience in adolescents with SAD”
From Negative Flashforward Imagery in Adolescent Social Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study of Imagery Reports and a Short EMDR Intervention. (2024) · cites this paper as Schreiber and Steil 2013
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- Authors
- Schreiber, F., & Steil, R.
- Affiliations
- Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
- Venue
- Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2013-06
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 158-164
- ISSN
- 0005-7916 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2021844525
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- negative self-concept, social anxiety disorder, adolescents, social anxiety, depression, observer perspective
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Anxiety Disorders, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Self Concept, Social Behavior, Stress, Psychological, Case-Control Studies, Young Adult
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