Antecedents of the risk of recovery from DSM-III-R social phobia.
BACKGROUND
This study reports antecedents of recovery from DSM-III-R social phobia.


METHODS
Retrospective data were obtained from 1116 individuals age 15 to 64 participating in a large population health survey in the province of Ontario, Canada


RESULTS
Approximately 50% of the sample recovered from their illness. Survival analysis revealed a median length of illness of 25 years with peak periods of risk of recovery occurring between 30 and 45 years duration. Using discrete time multivariate hazard regression analysis, statistically significant predictors of recovery from social phobia included: childhood social contextual factors (one or no childhood siblings, a small town childhood place of residence), characteristics of the disorder (onset past the age of 7, less than three disorder symptoms), an absence of co-morbid health-related conditions and psychiatric disorders (chronic health problems and major depression), and the occurrence of co-morbid chronic health problems and major depression prior to the onset of the disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that social phobia in the general population is a chronic and unremittent disorder. Determinants of recovery are rooted in distal childhood circumstances, disorder attributes, and the physical and mental health status of individuals over the life course.
Addiction Research Foundation Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada.
D J
DJ
DeWit
A
A
Ogborne
D R
DR
Offord
K
K
MacDonald
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003289:Convalescence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires