Effects of an Anxiety-Task on Social Anxiety, Paranoia & Imagery v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What do the effects of an anxiety-task on state social anxiety and paranoia show about their relationship and the role of imagery? A mixed methods study
IRAS ID
199896
Contact name
Jara Falkenburg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 29 days
Research summary
Many people feel anxious in social situations. For some this can become so difficult that they may identify or be identified as having social anxiety. Passing paranoia is also experienced by most people. Examples include thinking others are trying to irritate you or that you are being watched. When this becomes very distressing, people may identify or be identified as having a psychotic disorder.
Diagnostic manuals traditionally distinguish psychotic from anxiety disorders, but recent research demonstrates much overlap. The relationship between social anxiety (one type of anxiety disorder) and paranoia (a feature of psychotic disorders) has received particular attention, because they often co-occur and studies show similarities between them. Five theories have emerged regarding this relationship. One theory is that social anxiety and paranoia lie along a continuum, with paranoia being a more severe type of socially anxious fear (Freeman et al., 2005). People with social anxiety may therefore experience increased paranoia during heightened anxiety (Taylor & Stopa, 2013), but this is yet to be experimentally investigated.
This study will investigate this by comparing 75 participants: 25 with social anxiety, 25 with paranoia, and 25 without either. Participants will complete measures of paranoia and social anxiety before and after a task that provokes mild anxiety, and participate in an optional interview about their imagery during this anxiety-task. A relaxation exercise will be offered afterwards to decrease any negative feelings. Participants will then be given materials about managing paranoia and social anxiety and paid £5 as a thank you. The study will last around 60-90 minutes.
Findings will extend previous research and further our understanding about social anxiety, paranoia, and imagery. If the hypothesised relationship is found, social anxiety treatment could be modified for paranoia and vice versa. Findings could thus contribute to earlier and improved assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of both.
REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
16/WA/0362
Date of REC Opinion
16 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion