An analysis of post-event processing in social anxiety disorder.
Research has demonstrated that self-focused thoughts and negative affect have a reciprocal relationship [Mor, N., Winquist, J. (2002). Self-focused attention and negative affect: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 128, 638-662]. In the anxiety disorder literature, post-event processing has emerged as a specific construction of repetitive self-focused thoughts that pertain to social anxiety disorder. Post-event processing can be defined as an individual's repeated consideration and potential reconstruction of his performance following a social situation. Post-event processing can also occur when an individual anticipates a social or performance event and begins to brood about other, past social experiences. The present review examined the post-event processing literature in an attempt to organize and highlight the significant results. The methodologies employed to study post-event processing have included self-report measures, daily diaries, social or performance situations created in the laboratory, and experimental manipulations of post-event processing or anticipation of an upcoming event. Directions for future research on post-event processing are discussed.
Brozovich
Faith
F
Adult Anxiety Clinic, Temple University, USA. heimberg@temple.edu
Heimberg
Richard G
RG
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008606:Mental Processes; D011939:Mental Recall; D012650:Self Disclosure; D019455:Self Psychology; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*