Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
05:32
Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
Published on: December 7, 2018
8.5K
The interplay between anxiety and social functioning in Williams syndrome
Deborah M Riby1, Mary Hanley, Hannah Kirk
1Science Laboratories, Department of Psychology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK, Deborah.Riby@durham.ac.uk.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|November 8, 2013
Summary
Williams syndrome (WS) is linked to social challenges and anxiety. This study found that higher anxiety levels in individuals with WS correlate with increased social difficulties, highlighting the need for anxiety management.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Genetics
Background:
- Williams syndrome (WS) is a developmental disorder characterized by unique social behaviors, including hyper-sociability and heightened social sensitivity.
- Individuals with WS often exhibit a predisposition towards anxiety, impacting their social functioning across the lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between social behavior profiles and anxiety levels in a broad age range of individuals with Williams syndrome.
- To explore how anxiety severity influences social dysfunction and social skills in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized parental reports on the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS-P) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) for 59 participants aged 6-36 years.
- Correlated anxiety severity (SCAS-P) with social dysfunction (SRS) and compared social skills between high and low anxiety groups.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between higher anxiety severity and greater social dysfunction in individuals with WS.
- Distinct differences in social abilities were observed between individuals with high and low anxiety levels within the WS group.
Conclusions:
- Anxiety is a critical factor influencing social behavior in Williams syndrome, necessitating targeted interventions.
- Understanding the interplay between anxiety and social components is crucial for comprehensive management of WS.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
880
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
880
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
2.0K
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
2.0K
01:18Anxiety: Overview
1.3K
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
1.3K
01:27Horney's Sociocultural Approach
1.3K
Karen Horney's psychoanalytic theories emphasize the potential for self-realization and the importance of addressing social and cultural, rather than biological, factors in personality development. She challenged traditional Freudian views, particularly Freud's concept of "penis envy," which she argued stemmed from cultural influences rather than inherent biological differences. Horney believed that any sense of inferiority in women was a result of societal conditioning, such as...
1.3K
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
533
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
533
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
1.3K
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
1.3K