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Social Phobia and Educational and Interpersonal Impairments in Adolescence: A Prospective Study

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Abstract

We examined longitudinal associations between social phobia (SP) and educational and interpersonal impairments among Finnish adolescents. Participants were 3278 adolescents (9th grade; M age = 15.5 years) who completed measures of SP and depressive symptoms; 2070 participated in follow-up two years later. Indicators for educational and interpersonal functioning were assessed for each sex separately. Multivariate analyses, controlling for depression and relevant socioeconomic covariates, indicated that for boys, age 15 SP predicted slow academic progression, being without a close friend or not having a romantic relationship, and poor support from friends and significant others at age 17. However, for girls, age 15 SP only predicted not having been involved in a romantic relationship by age 17. In conclusion, we found striking sex differences for adolescent SP as a predictor for subsequent educational and interpersonal impairments in late adolescence. SP may have a more devastating effect on boys' social and academic functioning relative to that of girls.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), P.O. Box 590, 00029, Helsinki, Finland

    Klaus Ranta & Mauri Marttunen

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 249229, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA

    Annette M. La Greca

  3. Medical School, University of Tampere, 33014, Tampere, Finland

    Riittakerttu Kaltiala-Heino

  4. Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, P.O. Box 2000, 33521, Tampere, Finland

    Riittakerttu Kaltiala-Heino

  5. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Mauri Marttunen

  6. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland

    Mauri Marttunen

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  1. Klaus Ranta
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  2. Annette M. La Greca
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  3. Riittakerttu Kaltiala-Heino
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  4. Mauri Marttunen
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Correspondence to Klaus Ranta.

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Ranta, K., La Greca, A.M., Kaltiala-Heino, R. et al. Social Phobia and Educational and Interpersonal Impairments in Adolescence: A Prospective Study. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 47, 665–677 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-015-0600-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-015-0600-9

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