Abstract
Objective: Social phobia is a common mental disorder associated with significant impairment. Current research and treatment models of social phobia rely on categorical diagnostic conceptualizations lacking empirical support. This study aims to further research exploring whether social phobia is best conceptualized as a dimension or a discrete categorical disorder.
Methods: This study used three distinct taxometric techniques (mean above minus below a cut, maximum Eigen value and latent mode) to explore the latent structure of social phobia in two large epidemiological samples, using indicators derived from diagnostic criteria and associated avoidant personality traits.
Results: Overall, outcomes from multiple taxometric analyses supported dimensional structure. This is consistent with conceptualizations of social phobia as lying on a continuum with avoidant personality traits.
Conclusions: Support for the dimensionality of social phobia has important implications for future research, assessment, treatment, and public policy.
Declaration of interest: The National Survey of Mental Health and Well Being was funded by the National Health Branch of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, Under the National Mental Health Strategy. It was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The National Comorbidity Survey Replication was primarily funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, and conducted by the Survey Research Centre (SRC) of the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan as part of the World Mental Health Initiative. The current study was supported by Macquarie University and by a National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant #510137 and by US National Institute of Mental Health Career Development Award K01-MH076162 to Ayelet Meron Ruscio. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.