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Is Social Anxiety Associated With Both Interpersonal Avoidance and Interpersonal Dependence?

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Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that social anxiety is associated with both interpersonal avoidance and interpersonal dependency. Specifically, we predicted that dependence would be evident in developmentally salient close relationships upon which socially anxious people may rely. One hundred sixty-eight young people undergoing the transition to adulthood completed self-report measures of anxiety and interpersonal patterns. Results indicated that both dependent and avoidant interpersonal styles in romantic relationships, but not other relationships, were uniquely associated with social anxiety. These results remained when controlling for depressive symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, and trait anxiety. Our findings illustrate that social anxiety is not characterized solely by interpersonal avoidance as current conceptualizations suggest. Implications for models and treatment of social anxiety are discussed.

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Author notes

  1. Kevin Darcy

    Present address: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

  2. Joanne Davila

    Present address: Department of Psychology, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York

  3. J. Gayle Beck

    Present address: Department of Psychology, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Shield Institute, Flushing, New York

    Kevin Darcy

  2. State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

    Joanne Davila & J. Gayle Beck

  3. Department of Psychology, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, 11794-2500

    Kevin Darcy, Joanne Davila & J. Gayle Beck

  4. Department of Psychology, SUNY Buffalo, Park Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14260

    J. Gayle Beck

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  1. Kevin Darcy
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Correspondence to Joanne Davila.

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Darcy, K., Davila, J. & Beck, J.G. Is Social Anxiety Associated With Both Interpersonal Avoidance and Interpersonal Dependence?. Cogn Ther Res 29, 171–186 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-005-3163-4

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