THE ROLE OF INTROVERSION, BEHAVIORAL INHIBITION, AND SHYNESS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Purpose. To conduct a review of scientific sources on the role of introversion, behavioral inhibition,and shyness in the pathogenesis of social anxiety disorder as modifying factors of personal adaptation to socialinteraction challenges. Methods. Previous searches related to the topic of the article were done in PubMed, Web-of-Science,and Research Gate using the following criteria: studies published after 2010; studies have linked introversion,behavioral inhibition, and shyness, and social anxiety or social anxiety disorder in particular; studies haveexamined the role of introversion, behavioral inhibition, and shyness in the pathogenesis of social phobia. Theexclusion criteria were studies in which only children participated.Results. Analyzed more than 40 scientific articles, 30 were published after 2010. Selected articles indicate thattemperament features (introversion and neuroticism), due to neurobiological bases, show positive correlationswith the severity of social anxiety and the manifestation of social anxiety disorder. Signs of behavioral inhibitioncontribute to the severity of introversion traits and poorer psychosocial functioning. Several studies pointto the indirect role of cognitive biases between shyness, behavioral inhibition, social anxiety, and negativecorrelations with self-esteem, which leads to social anxiety disorder in the case of maladaptation and limitedresources.Conclusions. High levels of neuroticism and a tendency to introversion in conditions of social uncertaintycontribute to the tendency to interpret neutral aspects of social interaction as threatening. Behavioral inhibition(manifested by social restraint and anxiety in social situations), and the realization of shyness through negativeself-esteem, will contribute to the formation of avoidant behavior or rejection of social interactions. Thatmechanism consolidates maladaptive beliefs about themselves and life situations in the pathogenesis of socialanxiety disorder.