Distinct Longitudinal Contributions of Social Anxiety and Self-Consciousness to Interpersonal Dysfunction

We examined whether social anxiety (SA) and self-consciousness (SC) predicted unique variance in functioning among young adults with internalizing symptoms. We hypothesized that each would independently predict poorer interpersonal functioning and quality of life cross-sectionally and over 12 months. Participants (N = 152; ages: 18-30) included individuals with elevated depression and anxiety symptoms as well as healthy controls. At baseline, participants completed measures of SA, SC, and assessments of quality of life, social/leisure satisfaction, and four domains of interpersonal problems, with reassessments at 6 and 12 months. Baseline SA and SC both uniquely predicted greater interpersonal problems, and SA predicted lower social satisfaction, controlling for depression and anxiety severity. Quality of life was more strongly associated with SC than SA. However, in longitudinal models, all significant effects of baseline SA diminished over time and were no longer significant at the 12-month follow-up. In contrast, baseline SC demonstrated more stable relationships with impaired social functioning across the longitudinal period. Our findings suggest that SA may reflect a more state-like vulnerability that varies with time and circumstances, while SC may be associated with more stable interpersonal problems. These distinctions may ultimately allow clinicians to more effectively separate features associated with shorter-term interpersonal challenges from those associated with longer-term problems, and therefore to select more targeted and appropriate treatments.