Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) - New self-rating scale

Background Of available self-rated social phobia scales, none assesses the spectrum of fear, avoidance, and physiological symptoms, all of which are c linically important. Because of this limitation, we developed the Social Ph obia Inventory (SPIN). Aims To establish psychometric validation of the SPIN. Method Subjects from three clinical trials and two control groups were give n the 17-item, self-rated SPIN. Validity was assessed against several estab lished measures of social anxiety, global assessments of severity and impro vement, and scales assessing physical health and disability. Results Good test-retest reliability, internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity were obtained. A SPIN score of 19 distinguished between social phobia subjects and controls. The SPIN was responsive to change in s ymptoms over time and reflected different responses to active drugs v. plac ebo, Factorial analysis identified five factors. Conclusions The SPIN demonstrates solid psychometric properties and shows p romise as a measurement for the screening of, and treatment response to, so cial phobia. Declaration of interest Supported in part by Social Phobia Grant IRIO-MH493 39 to J.R.T.D. and by a grant from Smith Kline Beecham.