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Cited by 48Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychological Treatments and AssessmentsDeath Anxiety and Social Exclusion

Unmasking One’s True Self Facilitates Positive Relational Outcomes: Authenticity Promotes Social Approach Processes in Social Anxiety Disorder

Plasencia, M. Leili, Taylor, Charles T., Alden, Lynn E.·2016·Clinical Psychological Science
DOI 10.1177/2167702615622204
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Abstract

Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are motivated to conceal what they perceive to be personal inadequacies. They recognize, however, that their behavior does not convey who they genuinely are. Here, we examined whether increasing perceived authenticity facilitates positive social functioning in these individuals. Participants diagnosed with SAD ( N = 72) engaged in two social interactions with experimental confederates. Prior to the second interaction, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions equated on all elements except a safety behavior reduction procedure intended to increase self-authenticity. As hypothesized, increased authenticity led to beneficial changes in the cognitive, affective, and motivation processes that promote relational functioning. These results suggest that the experience of expressing one’s authentic self may reduce SAD-related social impairment.

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Crossref · 10.1177/2167702615622204

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90 of 90 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Increased approach behavior in the form of sharing positive emotions is associated with improvements in SAD symptoms during treatment.

    “For example, increased approach behavior in the form of sharing positive emotions is associated with improvements in SAD symptoms during treatment (41) and experimental reductions in safety behaviors (i.e., reduced avoidance) among people with high social anxiety (SA) results in more enjoyment during social events (42, 43).”

    From MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Alter Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurological Systems Underlying Social Dysfunction in Social Anxiety Disorder (2021) · cites this paper as [42]

  • In one study, people with SAD engaged in an interaction with an unknown individual. They were randomly instructed to either interact normally or to reduce safety behaviors in a way intended to increase authenticity. Results showed that increases in authenticity due to reduced safety behaviors led to increased positive affect in the person with SAD, more positive perceptions of their partner's

    “For example, in one study, people with SAD engaged in an interaction with an unknown individual. They were randomly instructed to either interact normally or to reduce safety behaviors in a way intended to increase authenticity. Results showed that increases in authenticity due to reduced safety behaviors led to increased positive affect in the person with SAD, more positive perceptions of their”

    From MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Alter Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurological Systems Underlying Social Dysfunction in Social Anxiety Disorder (2021) · cites this paper as [42]

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Authors
Plasencia, M. L., Taylor, C. T., & Alden, L. E.
Affiliations
University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author
Alden, Lynn E.
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Psychological Science
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2016-06-23
Volume
4
Issue
6
Pages
1002-1014
ISSN
  • 2167-7026 (ISSN-L)
  • 2167-7034
DOI
10.1177/2167702615622204
OpenAlex
W2255005615
Cited by
48
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 1
FWCI
4.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
Clinical Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Keywords
social anxiety disorder, self-authenticity, self-disclosure, social functioning, interpersonal relationships, social dysfunction

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