Inventory-Description

The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN-17) is a psychometric tool designed to assess the symptoms of social phobia (or social anxiety) in individuals. It consists of 17 questions that examine three main dimensions of social phobia:

Fear: The intensity of fear experienced by an individual in social or public situations.

Avoidance: The tendency of the individual to avoid social activities or situations that cause anxiety.

Physiological symptoms: The physical reactions accompanying social anxiety, such as trembling, sweating, or rapid heartbeat.

The SPIN-17 is a reliable and valid tool that can be used in both clinical and research settings to assess the severity of social phobia.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data collected from the SPIN-17 can be analyzed in various ways to determine the severity of social phobia and examine its relationship with other psychological variables. Key analytical techniques include:

Reliability analysis to calculate Cronbach’s alpha and ensure the internal consistency of the scale.

Factor analysis to verify the three main dimensions of the scale and confirm its structure.

Correlation analysis to explore the relationship between SPIN-17 scores and other variables, such as general anxiety or depression.

The results can be used to develop treatment plans, evaluate therapy effectiveness, or investigate social phobia in different populations.

Purpose

The primary goal of the SPIN-17 is to provide a reliable measure of the severity of social phobia symptoms in individuals. Specifically, the tool aims to:

Identify individuals with high levels of social phobia who may need treatment or support.

Monitor the progress of patients during therapy.

Facilitate research on social phobia and the factors that influence it.

Calibration

The calibration of the SPIN-17 includes the following:

Reliability analysis to ensure the stability of responses and the internal consistency of the scale.

Confirmatory factor analysis to validate the structure of the three dimensions of social phobia.

Cross-validation in different populations to ensure the validity and generalizability of the scale.

Bibliography

Connor, K. M., Davidson, J. R., Churchill, L. E., Sherwood, A., Weisler, R. H., & Foa, E. (2000). Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New self-rating scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 379-386.

Antony, M. M., Coons, M. J., McCabe, R. E., Ashbaugh, A., & Swinson, R. P. (2006). Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory: Further evaluation. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(8), 1177-1185.

Brown, T. A., Chorpita, B. F., & Barlow, D. H. (1998). Structural relationships among dimensions of anxiety and depression in a clinical sample of individuals with anxiety disorders. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 107(2), 179-192.