IS SOCIAL ANXIETY ALWAYS «SOCIAL»? AN INVESTIGATION OF PERSONALITY COGNITIVE AND AUTISTIC FACTORS.

Researchers studied 72 adults to understand how personality and autism traits affect social anxiety. They found that people with high autism traits experienced more anxiety when taking initiative or being watched, even though their overall social anxiety levels were similar to others. The causes of social anxiety were different depending on whether someone had autism traits, suggesting that treatment approaches may need to be tailored differently for autistic individuals.

This cross-sectional study examined how personality, cognitive, and autistic traits contribute to social anxiety (SA) in 72 adults. Researchers compared two groups: high SA with low autistic traits versus high SA with high autistic traits. While overall SA levels were similar between groups, those with high autistic traits showed greater anxiety in situations requiring initiative and being observed. The groups exhibited distinct personality profiles and different predictive factors for SA.

Group A (low autistic traits) showed SA predicted by liveliness, sociability, and attention to detail, while Group B (high autistic traits) showed SA predicted by social self-esteem, flexibility, and field independence, explaining 89% and 92% of variance respectively.

Results support the need for differentiated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for social anxiety depending on presence of autistic traits. Clinicians should assess for specific anxiety triggers and personality profiles when treating social anxiety in potentially autistic individuals.

Small sample size of 72 participants limits generalizability. Cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences. Study type not specified and methodology details are limited in the abstract. Authors acknowledge need for longitudinal research to establish causal relationships.

Social anxiety (SA) disorder is a common psychological condition; however, its boundaries with autism spectrum disorder remain a subject of debate. This study examines the contribution of personality, cognitive, and autistic traits to manifestations of SA in adults. To assess how personality, cognitive, and autistic traits affect SA and to define the impact of autistic features on its development. The study included 72 adults (42 women, 30 men) over 18, with different levels of SA and autistic traits.

Participants completed several questionnaires: Social Anxiety and Social Phobia Questionnaire, HEXACO-60-PI-R60 Personality Questionnaire, Hostility Scale, Cognitive Styles Questionnaire, Autism Spectrum Quotient, Behavior Self-Regulation Style Questionnaire, and an Emotional Intelligence Test. Two groups were studied: (A) high SA with low autistic traits, and (B) high SA with high autistic traits. T-tests and regression analyses were used. No significant differences in overall SA were found between the groups; however, individuals with pronounced autistic traits exhibited greater anxiety in situations requiring initiative and being under observation.

Group B demonstrated higher scores on all autism spectrum scales and distinctive personality profiles (low extraversion, high honesty/humility, vigilance, and negativism. Regression analysis revealed distinct predictive factors for SA in the two groups. For Group A this included the following parameters: Liveliness, lower Sociability, decreased Modeling of Conditions, heightened Sentimentality and increased Attention to Detail (89% of the variance in SA scores). For Group B they included low Social Self-Esteem, reduced Flexibility, diminished Reliability, elevated Dependence, and stronger Field Independence (92% of the variance in SA scores).

Personality and cognitive predictors of SA differ depending on the presence of autistic traits. The data confirm the necessity of a differentiated diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Future studies should employ longitudinal research designs to investigate causal relationships between variables.