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"I would like to Tell You Something": The Contribution of Self-Disclosure to Social Phobia Symptoms in a Non-Clinical Sample

Yossi Levi-Belz and Nofar Elis

Social phobia is characterized by intense anxiety from embarrassment and high levels of avoidance of social situations. Several studies have noted the presence of non-normative patterns of self-disclosure among socially anxious individuals. However, little is known regarding the contribution of self-disclosure to symptoms of social phobia in nonclinical populations. The current research aimed to fill this void by exploring the relationship between self-disclosure and social phobia symptoms. Non-clinical participants (N=188) completed questionnaires tapping self-disclosure, depression, as well as social anxiety. Findings showed that limited self-disclosure played a role in facilitating social phobia symptoms, beyond the contribution of depression. Focusing on the ability to share personal information to at least one close person can be seen as a buffer against social phobia symptoms. Implications regarding psychotherapy and population-based intervention are discussed.