title: Self esteem, dependency, self-efficacy and self-criticism in social anxiety disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by fear and avoidance in social situations where one perceives being in danger of scrutiny by others. Low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, high self-criticism and high dependency are additional potential features of SAD, and thus their examination is warranted, as is the elucidation of their inter-relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two SAD subjects diagnosed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and 30 healthy controls, were administered the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) that assesses self-criticism, dependency and self-efficacy, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. We hypothesized that the SAD group would present higher scores of dependency and self-criticism and lower self-esteem and self-efficacy. We also hypothesized that low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, high self-criticism and high dependency will predict the severity of SAD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In line with the hypotheses, SAD patients had higher scores of self-criticism and dependency and lower scores of self-esteem. The social anxiety score correlated negatively with self-esteem and self-efficacy, and positively with dependency and self-criticism. Self-criticism, but not the other measures, predicted the total LSAS score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-esteem, self-criticism, dependency and self-efficacy are related to SAD and their relations should be examined in future studies that will employ larger samples. It is suggested to search for ways to affect these factors through cognitive-behavioral interventions and additional psychotherapeutic treatments. Research should also focus on the specific role of self-criticism in SAD.
authors.affiliation: The Yavne Mental Health Clinic and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: iulian1@bezeqint.net.
authors.forename: Iulian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iancu
authors.affiliation: The Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Bar Ilan University.
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bodner
authors.affiliation: Clalit Health Fund.
authors.forename: Itzhak Z
authors.initials: IZ
authors.lastname: Ben-Zion
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003859:Dependent Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012647:Self-Assessment; D055815:Young Adult