Social Anxiety and Response to Touch

Amanda K Ludlow,Roberto Gutierrez,Hannah Roberts

doi:10.1177/2158244015580854

Amanda K Ludlow, Roberto Gutierrez + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015580854

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Abstract

Subclinical autism-related traits have been shown in the general population to be independently related to both social anxiety and sensory sensitivity. The present study examined the relationship between autistic traits as measured by the Autism Quotient (AQ) and its relationship to social anxiety and tactile sensation abnormalities. One hundred and seventy-three female university students completed the AQ, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), and the touch subscale of the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile. Results revealed that the relationship between social anxiety and tactile sensation abnormalities to be fully mediated by the level of autistic traits. Of the two subscales forming the LSAS (anxiety and avoidance), the avoidance score related more strongly to tactile sensation abnormalities and was again found to be moderated by the AQ.

Highlights

Extreme levels of anxiety are often experienced in social situations partially because we have a desire to make a positive impression and fear people will evaluate our behavior negatively (Mansell & Clark, 1999)
One such group is those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and it has been reported that social anxiety is one of
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS)-SR scale is formed by two subscales, one on anxiety and the other one on avoidance

Summary

Introduction

Extreme levels of anxiety are often experienced in social situations partially because we have a desire to make a positive impression and fear people will evaluate our behavior negatively (Mansell & Clark, 1999). While social anxiety has been linked to heightened sensory sensitivity, within the tactile domain, this relationship is thought to be most extreme in individuals with higher levels of both social anxiety and sensory behaviors Williamson, Craig, and Slinger (2008) reported that individuals with ASD perceive themselves as being socially incompetent, and received more negative feedback and less peer approval This awareness of social difficulties and sense of aloneness may contribute to social anxiety evidenced in ASD (Kuusikko et al, 2008). Others have argued that overwhelming sensory input leads to withdrawal and anxiety associated with social situations (Jones, Quigney, & Huws, 2003)

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