(PS1-44) Examining the Psychometric Network Structure of Social Anxiety: A Scoping Review

Abstract Text: The network approach provides a novel framework for conceptualizing social anxiety disorder (SAD), using network analysis (NA) to depict this psychopathology as a system of interconnected symptoms. NA estimates networks where nodes represent observable variables, and edges represent relationship between nodes (e.g., partial correlations). NA also identifies central nodes that may drive the maintenance and exacerbation of the disorder, making them an important treatment target. Despite the broad application of NA in examining SAD, this approach was not systematically reviewed for this specific psychopathology, for example to clarify the symptoms included in a SAD network, the most central nodes, the symptoms that most contribute to comorbidity, or inter-cultural differences among networks. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to synthesize existing literature on the psychometric network structures of social anxiety symptoms, identifying research gaps and describing future directions in the field. Eligible studies were original research articles published after 2008, written in English, employing psychometric NA, and using quantitative measures to assess SAD symptoms. The presence of a formal diagnosis of SAD was not necessary for inclusion, and no age restrictions were imposed on the study participants. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Open Science Framework employing the keywords (‘social anxiety disorder’ OR ‘social phobia’ OR ‘social anxiety’) AND (‘network analysis’). The search identified an initial number of 613 studies. After removing duplicates and applying inclusion criteria, 27 studies were retained. Of these, 10 studies examined the network structures of social anxiety symptoms in patients with SAD, 17 investigated such structures in individuals without a SAD diagnosis, and 34 did not focus exclusively on the network structure of social anxiety symptoms but included them as part of broader NA. Findings highlighted that the central symptoms in SAD networks involve fear and anxiety related to performing and interacting with groups, engaging with strangers or unfamiliar individuals, participating in events and being the center of attention. Moreover, most studies focused on Western and Chinese populations, underscoring the importance of applying NA to study inter-cultural perspectives. However, existing research remains fragmented, and the network structures of SAD and related symptoms is still underexplored. The results of this review highlight the need for a comprehensive assessment of social anxiety symptoms, emphasizing their interactions through a network approach. Additionally, these findings offer valuable insights for clinical interventions, helping to identify the most crucial symptoms to target in SAD and allowing for more tailored treatment strategies. Future research should prioritize cross-cultural network analyses to deepen the understanding of SAD psychopathology across diverse populations. In conclusion, these insights lay the groundwork for advancing network-based approaches in social anxiety research.