Somatic symptoms in those with performance and interaction anxiety

Anna C. May, Louisiana State University, USA amay3@lsu.edu.
Brittany M. Rudy, Louisiana State University, USA.
Thompson E. Davis, Louisiana State University, USA.
Whitney S. Jenkins, Louisiana State University, USA.
Erin T. Reuther, Louisiana State University, USA.
Sara E. Whiting, Louisiana State University, USA.

Abstract

This study (n = 304) examined the relationship between somatic symptoms and social anxiety. Significant differences in the experience of somatic symptoms were found among four groups (i.e. performance anxious, interaction anxious, generalized socially anxious, and controls). Post hoc analyses revealed that those who exceeded the clinical cutoff for generalized social anxiety exhibited more somatic symptoms than those who exceeded the clinical cutoff in the other two social anxiety domains or controls. Individuals in each group exhibited more somatic symptoms than controls, but subtypes did not differ in the amount of somatic symptoms experienced. Additionally, regression analyses revealed that type of somatic symptoms experienced varied depending on subtype.