The Medium is the Message: Effects of Mediums of Communication on Perceptions and Emotions in Social Anxiety Disorder

• Published in: Journal of anxiety disorders 2021-10, Vol.83, p.102458-102458, Article 102458
• Main Authors: Oren-Yagoda, Roni, Aderka, Idan M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Experience sampling methodology; Mediums of communication; Perception; Positive and negative emotions; Social anxiety disorder
• ISSN: 0887-6185; 1873-7897
• DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102458

•We examined use of mediums of communication among individuals with and without SAD.•Using an experience sampling design we measured participants for 21 days.•People with SAD used more voice/text and less visual mediums compared to controls.•In SAD, use of visual mediums led to more positive perceptions and emotions.•Voice/text mediums operate as safety behaviors among individuals with SAD. We examined the use of voice/text and visual mediums and their effects on perceptions and emotions in social anxiety disorder (SAD). Our sample included 88 individuals: 44 individuals with SAD and 44 non-socially-anxious (NSA) individuals. We used an experience sampling methodology (ESM) in which participants received daily links to online measures at random times during the day, for 21 days and reported on social interactions, emotions and perceptions. Results indicated that individuals with SAD used voice/text mediums to a greater extent and used visual mediums to a lesser extent compared to NSA individuals. However, despite preferring voice/text mediums, use of visual mediums resulted in immediate increases in positive perceptions and emotions for individuals with SAD. These findings were above and beyond the effect of depressive symptoms and remained when social anxiety was represented as a continuum of severity. This has important implications for exposure interventions in the treatment of SAD.