Citation

Schutters SIJ, Dominguez MDG, Knappe S, Lieb R, van Os J, Schruers KRJ, Wittchen HU. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 2011; 125(3): 213-227.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands Centre for Mental Health, Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, UK Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology Unit, Munich, Germany Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Basel University, Basel, Switzerland Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, King's Health Partners, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01787.x

PMID

22077136

Abstract

Objective:  Previous research suggests high levels of comorbidity between social phobia and paranoid symptoms, although the nature of this association remains unclear. Method:  Data were derived from the Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology study, a 10-year longitudinal study in a representative German community sample of 3021 participants aged 14-24 years at baseline. The Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess social phobia and paranoid symptoms, along with data on social phobia features. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted. Differential associations with environmental risk factors and temperamental traits were investigated. Results:  Lifetime social phobia and paranoid symptoms were associated with each other cross-sectionally (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.31-2.47). Lifetime paranoid symptoms were associated specifically with social anxiety cognitions. Lifetime cognitions of negative evaluation predicted later onset of paranoid symptoms, whereas onset of social phobia was predicted by cognitions of loss of control and fear/avoidance of social situations. Lifetime social phobia and paranoid symptoms shared temperamental traits of behavioural inhibition, but differed in environmental risks. Conclusions:  The present study showed that paranoid symptoms and social phobia share similarities in cognitive profile and inhibited temperament. Avoidance appears to be important in the development of social phobia, whereas cannabis use and traumatic experiences may drive paranoid thinking in vulnerable individuals.

Language: en