# Examining emotion regulation processes in social anxiety from an interpersonal and observational perspective

> **NIH NIH R15** · OHIO UNIVERSITY ATHENS · 2022 · $453,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Social anxiety disorder (i.e., social phobia) is one of the most common and debilitating psychiatric disorders,
with lifetime prevalence estimates around 13% and onset peaking in early adulthood. Characterized by
excessive and persistent fear of social or performance situations, social anxiety (SA) is detrimental even in
subthreshold forms and is best conceptualized as a spectrum of symptoms and impairment. Theoretical
models and empirical research on SA converge on several key individual-level factors in the etiology and
maintenance of SA (e.g., anxious arousal and anxious apprehension regarding social contexts). However,
despite the inherent interpersonal nature of SA, there is limited focus on the processes that occur within
interpersonal interactions that can shape SA (e.g., how do friends use interactions with each other to regulate
their own and each other's social anxiety?). To address this gap, the overarching objective of the current
research is to delineate the processes within an interpersonal context that predict SA. Our central hypothesis is
that emotion emotion regulation processes occurring in social interactions (i.e., individuals' and their friends'
emotion regulation processes; e.g., co-rumination, suppression, reappraisal) will predict indicators of SA both
in the lab and daily life. To test our hypothesis, we will recruit 140 friend dyads exhibiting a range of SA
symptoms (with at least 40% meeting SA disorder threshold). In the lab, individuals will identify their most
stressful ongoing problem that involves someone outside of and unrelated to the friendship and then have a
conversation where one person discloses their problem for discussion. We will comprehensively assess
emotion regulation strategies used during the discussion using self- and partner-reports and behavioral
observations. Next, each member of the dyad will undergo a standardized social threat performance task and
dyadic pre- and post-event processes will be measured. After, participants will complete 14-day diaries for the
assessment of individual and interpersonal emotion regulation and naturally occurring internalizing symptoms
in daily life. Indicators of SA will be assessed consistent with data-driven models and in line with NIMH's RDoC
constructs of acute and potential threat, including cardiovascular (peripheral resistance) and neuroendocrine
markers (salivary cortisol), behavioral codes (e.g., performance in public speaking task), and self-reports (e.g.,
distress). Primary indicators of SA include self-reported distress and state anxiety. Findings from the current
study will build upon existing theoretical models of SA, which is crucial to laying the groundwork for developing
effective SA interventions. The central significance and innovation of the current work is to examine the
interpersonal mechanisms that may be shaping SA by directly examining dyadic interactions among close
others. This research will advance NIMH's missio...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10358963
- **Project number:** 1R15MH125289-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO UNIVERSITY ATHENS
- **Principal Investigator:** Brett Peters
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $453,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-15 → 2025-07-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10358963

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10358963, Examining emotion regulation processes in social anxiety from an interpersonal and observational perspective (1R15MH125289-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10358963. Licensed CC0.

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