Objective: Problem solving and adjusting responses according to feedback are
among the executive functions that may be impaired in social phobia patients.
The objective of this study was to compare social phobia patients' Wisconsin
Card Sorting Test scores with those of controls; thus, our aim was to examine
executive functions in social phobia patients.
Method: The
study included 36 social phobia patients (16 female [44.4%] and 20 male [55.6%])
whose age, sex, and level of education were matched with those of a healthy
control group. Participants were administered the Structured Clinical Interview
for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety
Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale along, and Wisconsin Card Sorting
Test.
Results:
Patients with social phobia scored lower than the control group in terms of the
total number of correct responses, number of categories completed, and
percentage of conceptual level responses on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.
The total number of errors and total non-perseverative errors were elevated in
the patient group. No differences were observed in perseverative errors and
set-maintenance between the patient and control groups. The number of correct
responses and the percentage of conceptual level responses were negatively
correlated with trait anxiety and social avoidance scores, whereas the number
of errors was positively correlated with trait anxiety and social avoidance scores.
Non-perseverative errors were positively correlated with state-anxiety, social
fear, and social avoidance scores.
Conclusion:
Working memory in the social phobia patients was impaired, as compared to that
of the healthy controls. High social anxiety scores had a negative impact on
working memory.