In a recent article (Examining the role of perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty in postevent processing in social anxiety disorder – http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10862-015-9516-8 ) the authors describe a study that tried to investigate the role of perfectionism and intolerance for uncertainty in social phobia .
In particular, the authors wanted to investigate how these two factors can play a role during the post-event evaluation phase; in social anxiety disorder, as is well known, three specific phases tend to be considered: anticipatory anxiety, situational anxiety and post-event evaluation.
The post-event evaluation is in fact considered a factor in the maintenance of social phobia and therefore represents one of the central aspects in understanding the disorder.
The aim of the present study was to understand whether intolerance for uncertainty and perfectionism can be considered predictors of post-event evaluation.
A sample of 56 subjects with social phobia and high levels of anxiety in public speaking was recruited for the study; the sample was given questionnaires for perfectionism, intolerance for uncertainty, social anxiety and depression .
The subjects were asked to improvise a speech in front of an audience and immediately afterwards to complete a questionnaire to measure the level of negative post-event evaluation and the associated distress.
The results demonstrated a significant correlation between perfectionism and the level of negative evaluation and associated distress, as well as between intolerance for uncertainty and perceived post-event distress.
Furthermore, as a significant fact, it should be noted that among the perfectionism scales, parental expectations and parental criticism are able to predict the level of negative evaluation and discomfort beyond social anxiety or depressive symptoms.
It should be emphasized that perfectionism, as well as intolerance for uncertainty, have also been correlated with positive post-event evaluations, beyond social anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Finally, individuals with social anxiety disorder who have high scores in perfectionism or intolerance for uncertainty seem more likely to think negatively about the social event or to experience the associated distress.
This study therefore seems to suggest the use of specific cognitive strategies aimed at intervening on the aforementioned factors to improve the efficacy of the treatment for subjects with social anxiety disorder .
