What are the loss of human capital and indirect costs of social phobia?
Individuals with Social Phobia may not reach their full social or occupational potential because of the impairments caused by this disorder. They may underachieve at work because of anxiety or avoidance of speaking in groups, in public, or to authority figures and colleagues. People with Social Phobia often have decreased social support networks and are less likely to marry. In extreme cases, they may drop out of school, be unemployed and not seek work due to difficulty interviewing for jobs. Those with SP may have no friends or cling to unfulfilling relationships, completely refrain from dating, or remain with their families.
A retrospective analysis of 1017 outpatients from a large US HMO, conducted by Katzelnick et al, quantified the impairment caused by social phobia. Their analysis showed that compared to a control group, patients with social phobia
- earn 10% lower wages
- have a 10% lower probability of obtaining a college education
- have a 14% lower probability of employment in technical, professional, or managerial positions (P<.02)
Patients with lifetime or past year Social Phobia have reported poor quality of well-being. Individuals who have SP throughout their lives often report dissatisfaction in various aspects of life, including their main daily activity (such as work, school, household chores, or volunteering), family, friends, leisure activities, and income. The impact of social phobia on the workplace is particularly powerful, as the next section will illustrate.
Social Phobia Direct Costs |
Social Phobia Indirect Costs |
Workplace Social Phobia Cost |
Social Phobia Productivity Loss |
Social Phobia Prevalence |
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