Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): Understanding and Measuring Social Anxiety

Introduction

The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a widely used self-report questionnaire designed to assess the severity of social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms. Developed by Dr. David M. Connor and colleagues, it helps identify individuals with social phobia and measure the intensity of their symptoms, including fear of negative evaluation, social avoidance, and physical anxiety responses.

Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) Test

Answer the following questions based on how you feel in general. Select the option that best describes your experience.

I get nervous if I have to speak with someone in authority (e.g., a teacher, boss, etc.).

I avoid speaking to people I don't know.

I worry about what others think of me.

I feel uncomfortable being the center of attention.

I avoid social situations due to fear of embarrassment.

I get embarrassed when I have to perform in front of others (e.g., public speaking, singing).

I worry about being criticized in social situations.

I feel awkward or self-conscious when interacting with others.

I often feel that others are judging me negatively.

I avoid parties, meetings, or social gatherings.

I experience physical symptoms (e.g., sweating, trembling) when interacting with others.

I feel like I don’t belong in social situations.

I often try to avoid being noticed in social situations.

I feel overwhelmed in social situations.

I have difficulty making eye contact with others.

I avoid speaking in front of a group.

I feel anxious when meeting new people.

The Structure of the SPIN

The SPIN consists of 17 questions that assess the following areas:

  • Fear of Negative Evaluation: This section assesses the fear of being judged or negatively evaluated by others in social situations.
  • Social Avoidance: This domain evaluates the tendency to avoid social situations due to fear of negative evaluation or embarrassment.
  • Physical Anxiety Symptoms: This domain measures the physical symptoms of anxiety such as sweating, trembling, and nausea experienced in social settings.

Responses are scored on a 4-point Likert scale: “Not at all,” “A little bit,” “Moderately,” and “Very much.” A total score is calculated by adding the responses across the three domains.

Interpreting the SPIN Score

The SPIN score provides an indication of the severity of social anxiety symptoms:

  • Scores between 0-19: These scores are considered within the normal range, indicating minimal or no social anxiety.
  • Scores between 20-29: These scores suggest mild social anxiety, where individuals may experience some discomfort in social situations but are still able to function normally.
  • Scores above 30: A score above 30 suggests the presence of moderate to severe social anxiety, where individuals may avoid social interactions and experience significant distress in social situations.

The SPIN and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

The SPIN is commonly used in clinical settings to help diagnose and assess the severity of social anxiety disorder (SAD). It is one of the most widely used instruments for screening social anxiety in both clinical and research contexts.

Applications of the SPIN

The SPIN is used in various contexts, including:

  • Clinical Assessments: The SPIN helps clinicians assess the severity of social anxiety symptoms and determine if further evaluation or treatment is needed.
  • Social Anxiety Research: Researchers use the SPIN to study social anxiety in different populations and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.
  • Self-Assessment: Individuals can use the SPIN as a self-reflection tool to gauge the level of their own social anxiety.

Related Research

The SPIN has been validated in numerous studies, demonstrating its reliability and validity in measuring social anxiety. Research has shown that individuals with high SPIN scores tend to have higher levels of social avoidance and negative evaluation fears.

Sources

Copyright ©, Jonathan Davidson. 1995, 2008, 2015. All rights reserved. Permission to use the SPIN must be obtained from the copyright holder at [email protected]. The SPIN may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by any information storage or retrieval system without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

References

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association https://doi.org/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

KM Connor, et al. Psychometric Properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New Self-Rating Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 2000.

Klaus Ranta, et al. Age and Gender Differences in Social Anxiety Symptoms During Adolescence: The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) as a Measure. 153(3): Psych Research 261-270. December 2007.

Connor K.M., Jonathan R.T., et al. Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New self-rating scale. The British Journal of Psychiatry (2000) 176: 379-386 PMID 10827888

Anthony MM., Coons MJ., et al. Psychometric properties of the social phobia inventory: further evaluation. Behav. Res. Ther. 2006 Aug;44(8):1177-85 PMID 16257387

Arlin Cuncic. Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN). February 2, 2010.

Seeley-Wait, E., et al. Psychometric Properties of the Mini-Social Phobia Inventory. November 13, 2007.