DepressionNCT06962917
Cross-Cultural Differences in the Network Structure of Social Anxiety and Body Dysmorphic Symptoms
An observational study of Depression and Anxiety, run by Philipps University Marburg at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
This study will examine cross-cultural differences in the network structure of social anxiety and body dysmorphic symptoms across Germany, the United States, and Japan. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 55 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Depression, Anxiety, Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- What is being tested?
- Cross sectional study
- How many people
- 1,523 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 31 Mar 2025to 2 Apr 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 55 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: German, American, and Japanese individuals
Who may be able to join
- German, American, and Japanese citizens over 18 years old.
Who cannot join
- Individuals who do not obtain consent
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Examining the Network Structure of Social Anxiety and Body Dysmorphic Symptoms in American, German, and Japanese: A Cross-Cultural Study
This study will examine cross-cultural differences in the network structure of social anxiety and body dysmorphic symptoms across Germany, the United States, and Japan.
Read the detailed description
This study will investigate the network structure of social anxiety, body dysmorphic symptoms, depressive symptoms, and shame across Germany, the United States, and Japan. Social anxiety disorder and body dysmorphic disorder frequently co-occur and share several clinical features beyond fear of negative evaluation (Coles et al., 2006; Dietel et al., 2021; Fang et al., 2011). Both conditions have also been found to exhibit high comorbidity with major depressive disorder (Acarturk et al., 2008; Grant et al., 2005; Gunstad \& Phillips, 2003; Phillips et al., 1998). Cognitive-behavioral therapy targeting social anxiety disorder or body dysmorphic disorder has been shown to significantly alleviate depressive symptoms (e.g., Enander et al., 2016; Noda et al., 2023; Ritter et al., 2023). Shame has also been implicated in the development of depressive symptoms, as well as social anxiety disorder and body dysmorphic disorder (Kim et al., 2011). Comparing the symptom networks of social anxiety, body dysmorphic symptoms, and depression-and identifying central symptoms within each cultural context-may contribute to the development of transdiagnostic treatments with cross-cultural applicability.
- Conditions
- Depression, Anxiety, Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Being tested
- Cross sectional study
- Keywords
- Cross-cultural study
- Medical subject headings
- Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Body Dysmorphic Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cross sectional studyOther
This study is a cross-cultural study, not an intervention study. A total of 1,523 participants (484 from Germany, 548 from the United States, and 491 from Japan) were recruited.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| German, American, and Japanese citizens over 18 years old | Not described Receives: Other: Cross sectional study |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Brief version of Fear of Negative Evaluation scale
The Brief version of Fear of Negative Evaluation scale measures fear of negative evaluation. The scale consists of 12 items, including eight for the straightforwardly worded items and four for the reverse worded items. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (not characteristic of me) to 5 (extremely characteristic of me), with higher scores indicating greater fear of negative evaluation. It is recommended that the straightforwardly worded items (8 items) are used for the assessment of fear of negative evaluation. The total score, based on all 12 items, ranges from 12 to 60. When using only the straightforwardly worded items, the total score ranges from 8 to 40.
Measured: From March 2025 to April 2025
Mini-Social Phobia Inventory
The Mini-social phobia inventory measures social anxiety and avoidance behavior. The scale contains three items rated on a 5-point scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), with higher scores indicating greater social anxiety symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 12.
Measured: From March 2025 to April 2025
Appearance Anxiety Inventory.
The Appearance Anxiety Inventory measures symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. The scale contains ten items rated on a 5-point scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time), with higher scores indicating greater symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. The total score ranges from 0 to 40, with scores of 19 or above indicating caseness.
Measured: From March 2025 to April 2025
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 assesses depressive symptoms. It consists of nine items, each rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 27.
Measured: From March 2025 to April 2025
External and Internal Shame Scale
The External and Internal Shame Scale measures external shame and internal shame. It consists of eight items, each rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (always), with higher scores indicating greater levels of shame. The total score ranges from 0 to 32.
Measured: From March 2025 to April 2025
Auckland individualism and collectivism scale
The Auckland individualism and collectivism scale measures individualism (competitiveness, uniqueness, and responsibility) and collectivism (advise and harmony). The scale consists of 26 items, each rated on a 6-point scale ranging from 1 (never or almost never) to 6 (always), with higher scores indicating greater levels of the respective construct. The total score ranges from 26 to 156.
Measured: From March 2025 to April 2025
Demographic data
Age, location, ethnicity, education history, sexual orientation, biological sex, Gender identity, etc.
Measured: From March 2025 to April 2025
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 May 2025
- Study start31 Mar 2025
- Primary completion2 Apr 2025
- Study completion2 Apr 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for DepressionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 1,523 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Philipps University Marburg
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06962917
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-01k-rev
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 28 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 8 May 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 May 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Examining the Network Structure of Social Anxiety and Body Dysmorphic Symptoms in American, German, and Japanese: A Cross-Cultural Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06962917
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025-01k-rev
- Conditions
- Depression, Anxiety, Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Keywords
- Cross-cultural study
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 1,523 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Philipps University MarburgUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 31 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Apr 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will examine cross-cultural differences in the network structure of social anxiety and body dysmorphic symptoms across Germany, the United States, and Japan.
Detailed description
This study will investigate the network structure of social anxiety, body dysmorphic symptoms, depressive symptoms, and shame across Germany, the United States, and Japan. Social anxiety disorder and body dysmorphic disorder frequently co-occur and share several clinical features beyond fear of negative evaluation (Coles et al., 2006; Dietel et al., 2021; Fang et al., 2011). Both conditions have also been found to exhibit high comorbidity with major depressive disorder (Acarturk et al., 2008; Grant et al., 2005; Gunstad \& Phillips, 2003; Phillips et al., 1998). Cognitive-behavioral therapy targeting social anxiety disorder or body dysmorphic disorder has been shown to significantly alleviate depressive symptoms (e.g., Enander et al., 2016; Noda et al., 2023; Ritter et al., 2023). Shame has also been implicated in the development of depressive symptoms, as well as social anxiety disorder and body dysmorphic disorder (Kim et al., 2011). Comparing the symptom networks of social anxiety, body dysmorphic symptoms, and depression-and identifying central symptoms within each cultural context-may contribute to the development of transdiagnostic treatments with cross-cultural applicability.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| German, American, and Japanese citizens over 18 years old | – | Other: Cross sectional study |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- German, American, and Japanese individuals
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- German, American, and Japanese citizens over 18 years old.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Individuals who do not obtain consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Cross sectional studyThis study is a cross-cultural study, not an intervention study. A total of 1,523 participants (484 from Germany, 548 from the United States, and 491 from Japan) were recruited. | Other | German, American, and Japanese citizens over 18 years old |
Primary outcome
Brief version of Fear of Negative Evaluation scale
Time frame: From March 2025 to April 2025
The Brief version of Fear of Negative Evaluation scale measures fear of negative evaluation. The scale consists of 12 items, including eight for the straightforwardly worded items and four for the reverse worded items. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (not characteristic of me) to 5 (extremely characteristic of me), with higher scores indicating greater fear of negative evaluation. It is recommended that the straightforwardly worded items (8 items) are used for the assessment of fear of negative evaluation. The total score, based on all 12 items, ranges from 12 to 60. When using only the straightforwardly worded items, the total score ranges from 8 to 40.
Mini-Social Phobia Inventory
Time frame: From March 2025 to April 2025
The Mini-social phobia inventory measures social anxiety and avoidance behavior. The scale contains three items rated on a 5-point scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), with higher scores indicating greater social anxiety symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 12.
Appearance Anxiety Inventory.
Time frame: From March 2025 to April 2025
The Appearance Anxiety Inventory measures symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. The scale contains ten items rated on a 5-point scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time), with higher scores indicating greater symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. The total score ranges from 0 to 40, with scores of 19 or above indicating caseness.
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
Time frame: From March 2025 to April 2025
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 assesses depressive symptoms. It consists of nine items, each rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 27.
External and Internal Shame Scale
Time frame: From March 2025 to April 2025
The External and Internal Shame Scale measures external shame and internal shame. It consists of eight items, each rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (always), with higher scores indicating greater levels of shame. The total score ranges from 0 to 32.
Auckland individualism and collectivism scale
Time frame: From March 2025 to April 2025
The Auckland individualism and collectivism scale measures individualism (competitiveness, uniqueness, and responsibility) and collectivism (advise and harmony). The scale consists of 26 items, each rated on a 6-point scale ranging from 1 (never or almost never) to 6 (always), with higher scores indicating greater levels of the respective construct. The total score ranges from 26 to 156.
Demographic data
Time frame: From March 2025 to April 2025
Age, location, ethnicity, education history, sexual orientation, biological sex, Gender identity, etc.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 May 2025.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Depression and Anxiety, run by Philipps University Marburg at 1 site in Germany.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Brief version of Fear of Negative Evaluation scale (time frame: From March 2025 to April 2025). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 May 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.