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Self-reported and actual physiological responses in social phobia
Robert J Edelmann1, Sarah R Baker
1School of Psychology and Counselling, University of Surrey Roehampton, Whitelands College, West Hill, London SW15 2SA, UK. r.edelmann@btinternet.com
The British Journal of Clinical Psychology
|April 5, 2002
Summary
Social phobics and clinically anxious individuals report more bodily sensations like racing heart and sweaty hands than controls, despite similar physiological responses. Both groups inaccurately rated their bodily sensations during tasks.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychophysiology
- Anxiety Disorders
Background:
- Social phobia and clinical anxiety are associated with heightened awareness of bodily sensations.
- Understanding the interplay between physiological responses and subjective experiences is crucial for anxiety disorder research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare physiological reactions and self-reported bodily sensations in individuals with social phobia, clinical anxiety, and non-anxious controls.
- To investigate these responses across four distinct tasks: physical exertion, mental arithmetic, mental imagery, and social conversation.
Main Methods:
- A within-group design was employed with 54 participants: 18 generalized social phobics, 18 clinically anxious (non-socially phobic), and 18 non-anxious controls.
- Physiological measures (heart rate, skin conductance, temperature) and self-reported bodily sensations were recorded during four tasks and rest periods.
Main Results:
- No significant group differences were observed in physiological measures across any task.
- Both clinical groups reported higher ratings of racing heart during imagery and social conversation tasks compared to controls.
- Clinical groups also reported greater ratings of body heat and sweaty hands during specific tasks.
Conclusions:
- Subjective experiences of bodily sensations, particularly racing heart and sweaty hands, are heightened in social phobia and clinical anxiety, irrespective of objective physiological changes.
- Individuals with anxiety disorders may exhibit inaccuracies in their self-reporting of bodily sensations.