Social and simple phobias in children

Abstract

This study compared children who met DSM-III-R criteria for social phobia ( n = 29) and simple phobia ( n = 38) on sociodemographic, diagnostic, and clinical variables in order to provide preliminary descriptive data on the disorders, and to determine whether there is empirical support for the DSM subtype distinction. Results indicated that both social and simple phobic children were referred for treatment services approximately three years following onset of their phobias, were equally likely to be male or female, and frequently had comorbid anxiety disorders. The two phobic groups differed, however, in that social phobic youngsters (a) were older at referral and had a later age of onset of their phobias, (b) reported higher levels of fearfulness, loneliness, and depression, and (c) were more likely to have comorbid avoidant and overanxious diagnoses, than children with simple phobias. The implications of these findings are discussed.