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Sex Differences in Associations between Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE) and Substance Use

Lesley A. Dinoff, Michael T. Compton, Erin B. McClureGeorgia State University

Department of PsychologyP.O. Box 5010

Atlanta, Georgia 30302-5010

Abstract

Procedure

Discussion

Measures

References

Results and Figures

Prior studies have found positive associations between social anxiety and substance use. A growing literature focuses on how demographic variables such as sex might moderate these associations. The current study replicates and expands on prior research by examining sex differences in associations between social anxiety and substance use in a sample of college students.

Some findings suggest that the relationship between social anxiety symptoms, including fear of negative evaluation (FNE) may be stronger for women than for men in both community (Buckner et al., 2006) and clinical samples (Deas et al., 2006). Prior research, however, is limited by small samples and an exclusive focus on cannabis.

This study was designed to test, in a large, diverse sample, the hypothesis that there are sex differences in associations between multiple types of substance use and FNE. Specifically, based on the published literature, we hypothesized that associations between FNE and substance use would be stronger for women than for men.

Georgia State University students (n=438; 25.8% male) ranging in age from 18 to 35 years (M = 21.2; SD = 3.1) anonymously completed questionnaires regarding FNE and substance use history (marijuana, alcohol, street drugs).

Substance use history did not relate significantly to FNE for males, but for women FNE correlated positively with history of marijuana use, and significantly and negatively with age of first alcohol use.

The Fear of Negative Evaluation scale (FNE): measures apprehension about receiving negative evaluation, avoidance of being evaluated, and the expectation of being negatively evaluated (Watson & Friend, 1969). The FNE has 30 items, scored true or false, and in an initial study showed adequate internal consistency and construct validity (Watson & Friend, 1969). Fear of or hypersensitivity about negative evaluation is a feature of several psychological disorders (e.g., narcissistic personality disorder) and is one of the hallmarks of social phobia .The FNE has thus become an oft-used measure in social anxiety and social phobia research. Subsequent studies have largely confirmed the FNE's good psychometric properties (Rodebaugh, T. L., Woods, C.M., & Thissen, D. M.,2004).

Substance use history: Participants were asked to report whether or not they had ever used alcohol, marijuana, or street drugs, as well as their age at first use. Additionally, participants reported whether or not they had used each type of substance in the past 90 days.

438 undergraduate psychology students enrolled in an introductory psychology course participated in this study. Each participant anonymously completed questionnaires regarding FNE, substance use history (marijuana, alcohol, and street drugs), and current anxiety, depression, and stress levels. All participants provided informed consent. This study was approved by the GSU Institutional Review Board.

Measures were administered via an on-line survey that participants completed anonymously.

The order in which measures were administered was randomized across participants.

Participants received course credit for completing the questionnaires.

Results & Figures

Males and females in our sample showed comparable levels of social anxiety and similar histories of marijuana, street drug, or alcohol use (p’s >.05; women, however, reported starting alcohol use significantly earlier). There were significant sex differences, though, in associations between FNE and substance use. Specifically, for women, FNE correlated positively with the presence of a history of marijuana use, Spearman’s Rho (304)=.16, p=.03, or street drug use Spearman’s Rho (304)=.13, p=.007. FNE also correlated significantly and negatively with age of first alcohol use for females, Spearman’s Rho(260) =.16, p=.009. Substance use history did not relate significantly to FNE for males (p’s>.05).

Results (cont.)

There has been very little previous research on sex differences in associations between FNE and substance use. This study suggests that substance use relates differently to FNE for males and females. We discuss possible interpretations of this pattern of findings, as well as directions for future research.

One Possible interpretation is that females self medicate their social anxiety and FNE through substance use while males use substances more for experimental and recreational purposes. Future directions of research might include asking participants to complete a self report questionnaire that not only asks whether males or females have a history of substance use, but also asks participants to provide a response as to reasons for their use.

Our study had several limitations. First, fewer men than women were included in this study, and therefore we must be cautious in generalizing the results of this study to men. Also, this study included only college students between 18 and 35 years of age, so future work regarding the relationship between substance use and fear of negative evaluation should examine this dynamic in children and older adult populations as well.

Rodebaugh, T. L., Woods, C.M., & Thissen, D. M.(2004).More Information From Fewer Questions: The Factor Structure and Item Properties of The Original and Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale. Psychological . Assessment,16, 169-181.

Participants

Mea

n Fe

ar o

f Neg

ative

Eva

luat

ion

Scal

e Sc

ore

Correlations

-.069

.476

108

-.188

.174

54

-.045

.647

108

.123*

.033

302

-.067

.426

142

.114*

.047

302

Correlation Coefficient

Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N

Ever used Marijiana

Age of 1st marijuana use

Used marijuana in last90 days

Ever used Marijiana

Age of 1st marijuana use

Used marijuana in last90 days

Spearman's rho

Spearman's rho

SexMale

Female

Total Fear ofNegative

EvaluationScale Score

Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).*.

Correlations

.020

.835

108

.073

.511

83

-.027

.782

108

.092

.112

302

-.162**

.009

260

.073

.209

302


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N

Ever used Alcohol

Age of 1st alcohol use

Used alcohol in last 90days

Ever used Alcohol

Age of 1st alcohol use

Used alcohol in last 90days

Spearman's rho

Spearman's rho

SexMale

Female



Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).**.

Correlations

.068

.485

108

-.189

.387

23

.057

.559

108

.159**

.006

302

-.084

.546

54

.049

.400

302


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N


Sig. (2-tailed)

N

Ever used street drugs

Age of 1st street drug use

Used drugs in last 90days

Ever used street drugs

Age of 1st street drug use

Used drugs in last 90days

Spearman's rho

Spearman's rho

SexMale

Female



Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).**.

1

1

Never used Has used

Ever used Marijuana

13

13.5

14

14.5

15

15.5

Sex

Male

Female

Male Female

Sex

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Mea

n Fe

ar o

f Neg

ative

Eva

luat

ion

Scal

e Sc

ore

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