Is avoidant personality disorder more than just social avoidance?

J Pers Disord. 2004 Dec;18(6):571-94. doi: 10.1521/pedi.18.6.571.54792.

Abstract

Although social avoidance is a defining feature of avoidant personality disorder (APD), some theorists posit that APD is characterized by a broader pattern of avoidance that extends beyond social situations. This paper describes a series of four studies that examined the different types of nonsocial avoidance hypothesized to characterize APD in three undergraduate student samples and a clinical sample of adults with APD. Overall, the findings revealed low to moderate associations between APD and emotional and novelty avoidance, as well as avoidance of various nonsocial events. The results provide support for contemporary models of APD.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Personality Disorders / psychology*
  • Phobic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires