Evaluation of the social phobia scale and social interaction anxiety scale as assessments of performance and interaction anxiety

Abstract

The DSM-5 classification of performance anxiety as distinct from social anxiety underlines the need for specific measurement instruments. The Social Phobia Scale (SPS) and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) are widely used assessments of performance and general interaction anxiety, yet few studies have examined their criterion validity using actual performance and interaction stressors. The current study is the first to assess the scales’ convergent and discriminant validity using multimodal anxiety indices including psychophysiological reactivity, which is a key characterizing feature of performance anxiety. Ninety-three individuals completed the SPS and SIAS and participated in performance and interaction challenges. Anxiety response was assessed with criterion measures of self-reported anxiety, observer-rated anxiety, heart rate and skin conductance. Both scales were moderately correlated with self-report and observer-rated anxiety (r’s = 0.21–0.62) and weakly correlated with physiological measures (r’s = 0.07–0.35), generally supporting convergent criterion validity. Discriminant criterion validity was not supported, however, with the SIAS and SPS showing similar correlations with each criterion measure for both social challenges. These findings suggest the SIAS and SPS are valid instruments for the assessment of social anxiety but may not be suitable for the specific measurement of performance and interaction anxiety.