Incidence of DSM-IV Social Phobia in a Community Sample of Young German Women

Background: Little is known in regard to the risk factors of social phobia. Longitudinal studies are necessary to identifythose factors, and thus to help developing prevention strategies.Objective: This longitudinal study investigates precipitating risk factors and outcomes of the incidence of DSM-IV socialphobia in a large community sample.Method: A German cohort of 1238 women (18-24 years) at risk for first incidence of social phobia completed a diagnosticinterview and self-report questionnaires at two survey points approximately 15 months apart.Results: The estimated first incidence rate of DSM-IV social phobia was 4.2/100/year. Significant risk factors ofthe incidence of social phobia were not having a romantic partner, sub-threshold social phobia at baseline, higher interpersonalsensitivity, higher avoidance behavior, more dysfunctional attitudes and lower self-efficacy. Previous psychiatricdisorders did not predict social phobia. At follow-up, social phobia was associated with comorbidities and major psychosocialproblems.Conclusions: Young adult women are vulnerable to develop social phobia and psychological predictors play a major rolein the development of social phobia. The development of social phobia might be a marker of a beginning “psychiatriccareer”