General in-situation safety behaviors are uniquely associated with post-event processing

Background and objectives: Research suggests that state anxiety and in-situation safety behaviors are associated with post-event processing (PEP) in social anxiety. Past research has obtained mixed results on whether one or both factors contribute to PEP. The current investigation evaluated state anxiety and in-situation safety behaviors (including subtypes of in-situation safety behaviors) simultaneously to determine their relative contributions to PEP. Methods: A prospective study assessed social anxiety, state anxiety, in-situation safety behaviors, PEP, and depression in the context of a speech stressor. Results: Consistent with theory, in-situation safety behaviors were uniquely associated with greater PER State anxiety was not uniquely associated with PER Furthermore, restricting and active subtypes of in-situation safety behaviors showed specificity to PEP. Limitations: Limitations of the present study include the use of a nonclinical analog sample and retrospective reporting of PEP. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of research on in-situation safety behaviors as a potential contributor to PEP. Published by Elsevier Ltd.