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Psychiatry2 papers

Childhood social anxiety disorder

Last edited: 4/10/2026

Overview

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common and impairing mental health condition in children and adolescents 12. It significantly interferes with social interactions, academic performance, and overall functioning 1.

Diagnosis

  • Increased social anxiety is associated with lower social cognitive ability in children and adolescents 2.

    • Management

  • The recommended treatment is a disorder-specific form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 2.
  • CBT for SAD may include social skills training 2.

    • Special Populations

  • Social anxiety disorder affects children, adolescents, and youth 1.

    • Key Recommendations

  • Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition in children, adolescents, and youth that causes significant impairment 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the recommended treatment for childhood social anxiety disorder 2. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • The relationship between social anxiety and social cognition in children and adolescents is significant but moderate, with increased social anxiety associated with lower social cognitive ability 2. (Evidence: Moderate)

    • References

    1 Salari N, Heidarian P, Hassanabadi M, Babajani F, Abdoli N, Aminian M et al.. Global Prevalence of Social Anxiety Disorder in Children, Adolescents and Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of prevention (2022) 2024. link 2 Pearcey S, Gordon K, Chakrabarti B, Dodd H, Halldorsson B, Creswell C. Research Review: The relationship between social anxiety and social cognition in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines 2021. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Global Prevalence of Social Anxiety Disorder in Children, Adolescents and Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. — Salari N, Heidarian P, Hassanabadi M, Babajani F, Abdoli N, Aminian M et al. Journal of prevention (2022) (2024)
    2. [2]
      Research Review: The relationship between social anxiety and social cognition in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. — Pearcey S, Gordon K, Chakrabarti B, Dodd H, Halldorsson B, Creswell C Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines (2021)
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