Cognitive bias measurement and social anxiety disorder: Correlating self-report data and attentional bias

• Online dot-probe task not effective in identifying significant correlation between attention bias & social anxiety (LSAS-SR)
• Positive correlation with Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and bias towards negative face in neutral-negative display
• Positive correlation with Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and bias towards negative face in positive-negative display
• Modifications are needed to the dot-probe task delivered online to increase its reliability

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) and attentional bias are theoretically connected in cognitive behavioral therapeutic models. In fact, there is an emerging field focusing on modifying attentional bias as a stand-alone treatment. However, it is unclear to what degree these attentional biases are present before commencing treatment. The purpose of this study was to measure pre-treatment attentional bias in 153 participants diagnosed with SAD using a home-based Internet version of the dot-probe paradigm. Results showed no significant correlation for attentional bias (towards or away from negative words or faces) and the self-rated version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS-SR). However, two positive correlations were found for the secondary measures Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). These indicated that those with elevated levels of anxiety and depression had a higher bias towards negative faces in neutral–negative and positive–negative valence combinations, respectively. The unreliability of the dot-probe paradigm and home-based Internet delivery are discussed to explain the lack of correlations between LSAS-SR and attentional bias. Changes to the dot-probe task are suggested that could improve reliability.