Tools for Treating Social Anxiety Disorder Among Latinos

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), formally known as social phobia, is mainly characterized by fear or anxiety of being negatively judged and evaluated by others and presenting intense crying, fear, and tremors when having a conversation, meeting with strangers in social events (e.g., eating or drinking), and speaking in public. SAD in children is characterized by problems speaking in public, asking for help at school or shops, and attending parties or events where they meet people of their same age (McEvoy et al., Clin Psychol 20:103–104, 2016; Spence and Rapee, Behav Res Ther, 86:50–67, 2016). The prevalence of SAD among Latinos is similar to the global population, though epidemiological data in Spanish-speaking countries remain unclear. Research on treatment adaptation of empirically based treatments for social anxiety is still in progress. Based on the characteristics of the Latino population with social anxiety, this chapter will provide (1) an account of social anxiety and its epidemiology in the Latino population, (2) cultural considerations when delivering treatment, and (3) a description of the gold standard treatment for SAD including session vignettes and Spanish-adapted work sheets.