General in-situation safety behaviors are uniquely associated with post-event processing

Background and objectives

Research suggests that state anxiety and in-situation safety behaviors are associated with post-event processing (PEP) in social anxiety. Past research has obtained mixed results on whether one or both factors contribute to PEP. The current investigation evaluated state anxiety and in-situation safety behaviors (including subtypes of in-situation safety behaviors) simultaneously to determine their relative contributions to PEP.

Methods

A prospective study assessed social anxiety, state anxiety, in-situation safety behaviors, PEP, and depression in the context of a speech stressor.

Results

Consistent with theory, in-situation safety behaviors were uniquely associated with greater PEP. State anxiety was not uniquely associated with PEP. Furthermore, restricting and active subtypes of in-situation safety behaviors showed specificity to PEP.

Limitations

Limitations of the present study include the use of a nonclinical analog sample and retrospective reporting of PEP.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of research on in-situation safety behaviors as a potential contributor to PEP.