Characteristics predicting social functioning and treatment response in clients impaired by extreme shyness: Age of onset and the public/private shyness distinction.

Abstract
Research with non-clinical populations suggests that shy individuals can be distinguished into several different subtypes based on age of onset and on the public versus private nature of the symptoms. The intent of this research was to examine these distinctions in a clinical population to determine whether either factor was associated with other aspects of social functioning or acted as moderators of client treatment response. Fifty-two clients functionally impaired by extreme shyness participated in a lengthy intake interview which assessed factors surrounding shyness onset, social functioning, strategies for coping with shyness, and behavioural skill in social interactions. They then participated in an eight-week behavioural treatment program. The results suggested that clients reporting early onset also described their parents as shy, while clients reporting later onset tended to report a childhood history of emotional or physical abuse. There was some evidence to suggest that individuals with observable behavioural deficits were more likely to benefit from the behavioural treatment program than were shy individuals with few overt symptoms.

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