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Review
. 2021 Apr 17;23(6):35.
doi: 10.1007/s11920-021-01249-5.

Biopsychosocial Model Social Anxiety and Substance Use Revised

Julia D Buckner  1 , Paige E Morris  2 , Cristina N Abarno  2 , Nina I Glover  2 , Elizabeth M Lewis  2
Affiliations
Review

Biopsychosocial Model Social Anxiety and Substance Use Revised

Julia D Buckner et al. Curr Psychiatry Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review data published in the past 5 years to evaluate the utility of our biopsychosocial model of social anxiety's relation to substance misuse to evaluate the model's utility and update it.

Recent findings: Data support the utility of our revised model-e.g., socially anxious persons report using substances to manage subjective anxiety, despite evidence that some substances may not have a direct effect on physiological responding. Other factors with promise include social influence, cognitive processes (e.g., post-event processing), and avoidance. Data highlight the importance of context as socially anxious persons use some substances more in some high-risk situations, despite lack of relation between social anxiety and use generally. Sociocultural factors remain understudied. This updated model is a theory- and data-driven model of the relations between social anxiety and substance misuse that can inform future work to improve substance-related outcomes among this especially vulnerable group.

Keywords: Alcohol; Biopsychosocial approach; Cannabis; Social anxiety; Substance use disorder.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
    1. Buckner JD, Heimberg RG, Ecker AH, Vinci C. A biopsychosocial model of social anxiety and substance use. Depress Anxiety. 2013;30(3):276–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22032 . - DOI - PubMed
    1. Terlecki MA, Richter AA, Neighbors C, Young CM, Buckner JD. Alcohol-induced risky sexual behavior among socially anxious drinkers. Addict Res Theory. 2017;25(5):409–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2017.1306057 . - DOI
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    1. Ecker AH, Buckner JD. Cannabis-related problems and social anxiety: the mediational role of post-event processing. Subst Use Misuse. 2018;53(1):36–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2017.1322984 . - DOI - PubMed
    1. Buckner JD, Ecker AH, Dean KE. Solitary cannabis use frequency mediates the relationship between social anxiety and cannabis use and related problems. Am J Addict. 2016;25(2):99–104. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.12339 . - DOI - PubMed - PMC

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