BEHAVIOR THERAPY 34, 331--350, 2003 Anger Experience and Expression in Social Anxiety Disorder: Pretreatment Profile and Predictors of Attrition and Response to Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment BRIGETTE A. ERWIN RICHARD G. HEIMBERG Adult Anxiety Clinic, Temple University FRANKLIN R. SCHNEIER MICHAEL R. LIEBOWITZ Anxiety Disorders Clinic, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University The present study examined social anxiety, anger, and depression among 234 persons with social anxiety disorder and 36 nonanxious controls. In addition to greater social anx- iety, persons with social anxiety disorder exhibited more severe depression, greater anger, and poorer anger expression skills than did nonanxious control participants. Analyses investigating attrition and response to cognitive-behavioral group treatment (CBGT) among a subset of 68 persons treated for social anxiety disorder indicated that patients who experienced anger frequently, perceived unfair treatment, and were quick-tempered were less likely to complete a 12-session course of CBGT. Among treatment completers, significant reductions in the frequent experience of anger to perceived negative evaluation and in anger suppression were noted. However, those who suppressed anger responded less favorably to CBGT. Future directions and clinical implications are discussed. Social anxiety disorder is characterized by fear of embarrassment and humiliation in social and performance situations (American Psychiatric Brigette A. Erwin is now at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. This study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health to Richard G. Heimberg (MH44119), Michael R. Liebowitz (MH40121), and to the New York State Psychiat- ric Institute MHCRC (PO5 MH30906). Portions of this paper were presented at the annual meetings of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Boston, March 1998, and the Asso- ciation for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, New Orleans, November 2000, and Philadelphia, November 2001. Address correspondence to Brigette A. Erwin, Department of Psychiatry, University of Penn- sylvania School of Medicine, 11 Gates, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; e-mall: berwin @mail.med.upenn.edu. 331 005-7894/03/0331~)35051.00/0 Copyright2003 by Associationfor Advancement of Behavior Therapy All rights for reproductionin any form reserved.