Validity issues in self-statement measures of social phobia and social anxiety.

Measures to assess internal dialogue or self-statements in socially phobic or anxious clients are now frequently used in clinical and research settings. Such cognitive assessment techniques are rarely considered, however, with regard to psychometric criteria. This article reviews the literature on self-statement assessment of social phobia and social anxiety from the perspective of content, criterion, convergent and discriminant validity. In general, most measures have shown good evidence of validity. Different scoring systems in addition to thought valence appear worthwhile, and multiple measures and assessment occasions should be considered.