Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2006

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia) is a common, debilitating disorder. Social anxiety disorder is the fourth most prevalent disorder, with lifetime prevalence rates of 12.1% (Kessler et al., 2005). Socially anxious individuals have demonstrated impairments in academic, occupational, and social functioning (Stein, Torgrud, & Walker, 2000 ) Social anxiety and substance abuse appear to be related. •Substances may be used to reduce distress in social situations (e.g. Tran Haaga, & Chambless, 1997; Goodwin, Fergusson, & Horwood. 2004; Ham, Hope, White, & Rivers, 2002) •Kushner, Sher, and Erikson (1999) concluded that regardless of whether a substance use problem occurred first or an anxiety problem occurred they feed into each other reciprocally. Previous research has suggested that young adult women experience social anxiety to a greater extent than men, and that anxiety and substance use are more strongly linked for women than for men. In the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse survey, girls with alcohol use disorders had higher rates of anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders than boys (CASA, 2003). Although, there is research that examines alcohol use, social anxiety, and gender, most is either outdated or the studies have contrary findings. This study was designed to investigate the links between social anxiety (by fear of negative evaluation), substance use, and gender among emerging adults. As there is evidence to suggest that gender could serve as a moderator the relationship

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