Information Needs of and Information Sources Used by Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a globally significant mental health concern as it is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders. It is characterized by an intense fear of social situations and a persistent worry about being judged or embarrassed in public settings. Individuals with SAD tend to avoid social encounters, limiting their access to health information. This study fills a gap by addressing the information needs of and information sources used by individuals with SAD. Semi-structured online interviews and one written interview were conducted in Germany with 22 participants (15 females; 7 males) aged 18 to 65. The interviews incorporated visual participatory elements through the virtual whiteboard Miro, enabling participants to construct personalized health information infrastructures that reveal information needs and used information sources. Information needs and sources/channels were identified through inductive coding. Further, thematic analysis was applied, covering the interrelations of information needs and information sources used. Notably, intrapersonal health information needs emerged prominently in the data, highlighting the personal and introspective nature of SAD-related information. The most mentioned information sources are interpersonal channels such as psychotherapists, self-help groups, friends, and relatives. In addition, the findings indicated a preference for media channels such as social media and self-help books. Moreover, it became apparent that digital peer-to-peer support is essential for exchanging information and satisfying the need for social connections. Further, digital health apps (e.g., VR) for psychoeducation are integral information sources. This article is the first to address SAD within the context of information behavior in the LIS field.