title: A self-report measure of subtle avoidance and safety behaviors relevant to social anxiety: development and psychometric properties.
abstract: According to cognitive theories, safety-seeking behaviors are crucial in both the maintenance and management of social anxiety. In order to facilitate assessment of these behaviors the Subtle Avoidance Frequency Examination (SAFE) was developed. Three factors emerged from the SAFE, which appeared to reflect active "safety" behaviors, subtle restriction of behavior, and behaviors aimed at avoiding or concealing physical symptoms. The SAFE demonstrated strong internal consistency, good construct validity and the ability to discriminate between clinical and non-clinical participants. In addition, the SAFE was responsive to the effects of treatment. Given its excellent psychometric properties, the SAFE may be useful to further investigate the role of safety strategies in social anxiety and to assess treatment outcomes.
authors: Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Cuming
authors: Ronald M
authors: RM
authors: Rapee
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Kemp
authors: Maree J
authors: MJ
authors: Abbott
authors: Lorna
authors: L
authors: Peters
authors: Jonathan E
authors: JE
authors: Gaston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012449:Safety; D055815:Young Adult