The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a self-report tool that measures fear, avoidance, and physiological symptoms experienced in social situations. The test has a possible score between 0 and 68, with a cutoff score of 19 to differentiate between those with social phobia and those without. The SPIN is sensitive to the effects of treatment programs and covers the three essential aspects of social phobia. Ongoing research is being conducted to determine the test’s appropriateness for children and adolescents, other ethnic groups, or non-English speaking populations.
The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a self-report tool used to screen for social anxiety disorder. This 17-question test was created by the Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Responses to each question are arranged on a five-point scale with options to describe how well the criteria fit the subject, ranging from “not at all” to “extremely.” In this way, the Social Phobia Inventory measures the degree of fear, avoidance and physiological symptoms experienced by the patient in various social situations. The research confirmed the validity of the evaluation.
The creation of a questionnaire-type psychological test covering the full range of symptoms characterizing social phobia disorders was the main goal of the creators of the Social Phobia Inventory. The questions concern social situations that cause fear. These include fear of people in authority, fear of being criticized or embarrassed, and fear at social events. Other questions determine the level of avoidance of certain situations, including being the center of attention or giving a speech. Painful physiological symptoms including sweating, heart palpitations and flushing are also treated.
Each question results in a score between 0 and 4, with the entire test having a possible score between 0 and 68. To determine a cutoff score that differentiates between people with social phobia and those without, the researchers administered the test to groups who were diagnosed with social phobia and control groups who did not have the disorder. Using the results of this study, a score of 19 on the Social Phobia Inventory was determined as a cut-off. The test readily correlates the severity of the disorder. Other research has shown that the test can distinguish between those with social phobia and those with panic disorder, agoraphobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Estimates of the prevalence of social anxiety disorder in the general population show that it is one of the most common psychological disorders. It has also been determined that patients with social anxiety and phobia respond well to treatment. For this reason, the designers of the Social Phobia Inventory have created a tool sensitive to the effects of treatment programs. Patient progress can be determined by comparing an initial baseline with the evaluation score after treatment.
There are other types of assessments that help diagnose social phobia and anxiety, but the social phobia inventory has several unique features. This short assessment can be taken and evaluated quickly. It also covers the three essential aspects of social phobia, fear, avoidance and physiological symptoms. It also helps determine if symptoms are long-term rather than temporary. Research is ongoing to determine if the test is appropriate for children and adolescents, other ethnic groups, or non-English speaking populations.
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