Recalled parental behavior of women and men with social anxiety disorder - The importance of the father-child relationship.

Elling-Lueder, C; Forstner, AJ; Ramm, M; Stahl, J; Schumacher, J; Conrad, R.

Abstract

There is limited clarity in the research regarding sex-specific differences in Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). To address this gap, the current study focuses on examining sex-specific differences in sociodemographic factors and clinical impairment, as well as parenting behavior. The sample consisted of 425 women (39.0 ± 14.3 years) and 283 men (43.0 ± 14.0 years), all SCID-diagnosed with SAD. Both groups were compared regarding SAD symptom severity (Social Phobia Inventory; SPIN), comorbidities, current partnerhip, level of education and clinical impairment (suicidal thoughts, psychotherapeutic/psychiatric treatment, psychopharmacology). Women with SAD reported significantly higher SAD symptom severity. The two groups also differed regarding comorbidities: Women reported significantly more comorbid depressive disorders whereas men reported significantly more comorbid alcohol abuse or dependence and substance-related disorders. No sex-specific differences were found in partnership status, educational attainment or clinical impairment. Regarding the prediction of SAD symptom severity by parenting styles, high paternal affectionless control was a significant predictor in women. In men, high paternal affectionless control as well as high paternal affectionate constraint emerged as significant predictors. The findings of our study highlight the importance of the paternal affectionless control style as a consistent predictor of SAD symptom severity across both women and men. These results have clinical implications for the therapeutic treatment of SAD and societal implications in challenging outdated, traditional gender roles.