Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Campbell, Lorne J

Abstract

Social anxiety is characterized by fear and avoidance of social encounters and has recently been associated with a variety of difficulties in romantic relationships. Complicating further investigation of these associations is the high degree of comorbidity between social anxiety and depressive symptomatology, which share several similarities in expression despite disparate underlying causes. The present thesis examines the unique influences of social anxiety and depression on a number of central aspects of relationship functioning and provide the first longitudinal investigation of the impacts of actor and partner social anxiety and depression on relationship quality and functioning. In Study 1, three independent samples drawn from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk participant pool (N = 888) completed measures of social anxiety, depression, relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, commitment, and dyadic trust. Results indicated that both social anxiety and depression were significantly inversely correlated with relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, and dyadic trust. However, hierarchical regression models revealed the variance in relationship satisfaction and dyadic trust to be more appropriately attributed to the influence of depression. Meta-analyses across all three samples revealed similar findings. In Study 2, 122 dyads (n = 244) recruited via Prolific Academic completed a series of measures of social anxiety, relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, and commitment over a 60-day time period. Longitudinal actor-partner analyses revealed partner, but not actor, depression predicted lower future relationship satisfaction and actor but not partner depression to predict lower perceived social support from one’s spouse. Social anxiety was not a significant predictor of change over time in any observed relationship variables. Academic and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Summary for Lay Audience

People facing difficulties with social anxiety tend to be fearful of social situations and avoid these situations as a method of reducing that fear. This pattern of fear and avoidance can cause problems between partners in romantic relationships. Many of those who experience social anxiety also experience a heightened degree of depression. Social anxiety and depression can appear to be very similar at surface level, because of this, research on how they impact interpersonal relationships needs to differentiate the effects of these two constructs. The present thesis looks at the unique influences of social anxiety and depression on relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, trust, and commitment in romantic relationships. In the first of two studies, three independent samples of 888 people completed online measures of social anxiety, depression, relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, commitment, and dyadic trust. Results showed that both social anxiety and depression were linked to lower relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, and dyadic trust. However, more precise statistical models showed that depressive symptoms were driving the lower levels of relationship satisfaction and dyadic trust. In Study 2, 122 couples completed a series of measures of social anxiety, relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, and commitment over a 60-day time period. Statistical models showed that one’s partner’s depression predicted lower future relationship satisfaction but your own depression did not affect your relationship satisfaction. However, own depression did predict viewing your partner as being less supportive.

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