Issues in the assessment of social phobia: a review

Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 2009;46(1):13-24.

Abstract

Since the emergence of social phobia in DSM nomenclature, the mental health community has witnessed an expansion in standardized methods for the screening, diagnosis and measurement of the disorder. This article reviews formal assessment methods for social phobia, including diagnostic interview, clinician-administered instruments, and self report questionnaires. Frequently used tools for assessing constructs related to social phobia, such as disability and quality of life, are also briefly presented. This review evaluates each method by highlighting the assessment features recommended in social phobia literature, including method of administration, item content, coverage, length of scale, type of scores generated, and time frame.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arousal
  • Comorbidity
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological*
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Phobic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Phobic Disorders / epidemiology
  • Phobic Disorders / psychology
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results