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The extent of social anxiety in combination with mental disorders

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of social anxiety in different mental disorders. A total of 341 patients aged 7–18 years participated in the study. To measure social anxiety, the German version (SPAIK) of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C) was used. Subgroups were built dependent on mental disorders. A total score above 20, which was assumed to indicate social anxiety, was observed in children with selective mutism (n=9; M=22.68; SD=11.29) and in children with Asperger’s Syndrome (n=7; M=20.77; SD=13.77). Patients who had the following mental disorders also showed a higher total score of social anxiety: obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa, schizophrenia, depression and conduct disorder. In none of these disorders, however, did the mean total score exceed the cut-off of 20.

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  1. Dept. of Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents, University of Wuerzburg, Fuechsleinstr. 15, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany

    Siebke Melfsen Ph. D., Susanne Walitza M. D. & Andreas Warnke M. D.

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  1. Siebke Melfsen Ph. D.
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  2. Susanne Walitza M. D.
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Melfsen, S., Walitza, S. & Warnke, A. The extent of social anxiety in combination with mental disorders. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 15, 111–117 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0510-2

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