Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): Understanding and Measuring Social Anxiety

Introduction

The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a widely used self-report questionnaire designed to assess the severity of social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms. Developed by Dr. David M. Connor and colleagues, it helps identify individuals with social phobia and measure the intensity of their symptoms, including fear of negative evaluation, social avoidance, and physical anxiety responses.

How this test works

Method notes for the instrument used on this page: source, scoring, how we run it online, and what the result cannot tell you.

Instrument: Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)
Source: Connor, K. M., Davidson, J. R. T., Churchill, L. E., Sherwood, A., Weisler, R. H., & Foa, E. (2000). Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New self-rating scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176(4), 379-386. doi:10.1192/bjp.176.4.379
Items and scoring: 17 items, each rated 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely) for the past week; total score 0-68. The scale covers fear, avoidance, and physiological arousal.
Score bands: A total of 19 or above is the screening threshold reported in the original paper.
How we run it online: All 17 items are shown with the standard 0-4 response scale; scoring is the unweighted sum.
The result is shown as a total with the screening threshold noted; it is not presented as a diagnosis or a severity grade.
Scoring runs in your browser during a single session; no account is required.
Limitations: This is a self-report screening scale, not a diagnostic interview. A total at or above the threshold suggests further assessment may be warranted; it does not establish social anxiety disorder.
The threshold was derived in clinical research samples; it is not a population norm for a general online audience.
Responses come from a self-selected online sample, so no population norms are claimed.
How to cite: Kuakua. (2026). SPIN Social Anxiety Test. https://kuakua.app/test/spin — instrument: Connor et al. (2000), doi:10.1192/bjp.176.4.379

The Structure of the SPIN

The SPIN consists of 17 questions that assess the following areas:

Fear of Negative Evaluation: This section assesses the fear of being judged or negatively evaluated by others in social situations.
Social Avoidance: This domain evaluates the tendency to avoid social situations due to fear of negative evaluation or embarrassment.
Physical Anxiety Symptoms: This domain measures the physical symptoms of anxiety such as sweating, heart palpitations, and trembling experienced in social settings.

Responses are scored on a 5-point scale from 0 to 4: “Not at all,” “A little bit,” “Somewhat,” “Very much,” and “Extremely,” depending on how much each problem has bothered you during the past week. The total score ranges from 0 to 68.

Interpreting the SPIN Score

The SPIN total (0-68) is interpreted against two clinical cutoffs:

Scores 0-18: Below the cutoff of 19 — this screening does not indicate probable social phobia.
Scores 19-29: Meets the cutoff of 19 or higher — probable social phobia; further assessment by a qualified professional is recommended.
Scores 30 and above: Meets the higher cutoff of 30 — very probable social phobia; professional evaluation is strongly recommended.

The SPIN and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

The SPIN is commonly used in clinical settings to help diagnose and assess the severity of social anxiety disorder (SAD). It is one of the most widely used instruments for screening social anxiety in both clinical and research contexts.

Applications of the SPIN

The SPIN is used in various contexts, including:

Clinical Assessments: The SPIN helps clinicians assess the severity of social anxiety symptoms and determine if further evaluation or treatment is needed.
Social Anxiety Research: Researchers use the SPIN to study social anxiety in different populations and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.
Self-Assessment: Individuals can use the SPIN as a self-reflection tool to gauge the level of their own social anxiety.

Related Research

The SPIN has been validated in numerous studies, demonstrating its reliability and validity in measuring social anxiety. Research has shown that individuals with high SPIN scores tend to have higher levels of social avoidance and negative evaluation fears.

References

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association https://doi.org/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

KM Connor, et al. Psychometric Properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New Self-Rating Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 2000.

Klaus Ranta, et al. Age and Gender Differences in Social Anxiety Symptoms During Adolescence: The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) as a Measure. 153(3): Psych Research 261-270. December 2007.

Connor K.M., Jonathan R.T., et al. Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New self-rating scale. The British Journal of Psychiatry (2000) 176: 379-386 PMID 10827888

Anthony MM., Coons MJ., et al. Psychometric properties of the social phobia inventory: further evaluation. Behav. Res. Ther. 2006 Aug;44(8):1177-85 PMID 16257387

Arlin Cuncic. Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN). February 2, 2010.

Seeley-Wait, E., et al. Psychometric Properties of the Mini-Social Phobia Inventory. November 13, 2007.

This test is for educational and self-reflection purposes only. It is not a diagnostic tool. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

References

Connor, K. M., Davidson, J. R. T., Churchill, L. E., Sherwood, A., Weisler, R. H., & Foa, E. (2000). Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New self-rating scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176(4), 379-386. 10.1192/bjp.176.4.379

Frequently Asked Questions

Have another question? Let us know.

What is the SPIN?

The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a 17-item questionnaire for measuring social anxiety symptoms — fear, avoidance, and physiological discomfort in social situations. This site uses the official 17-item version with 0-4 response options.

What SPIN score suggests social anxiety disorder?

In validation research, a total score of 19 separated social anxiety disorder from controls with good accuracy; 30 or above indicates severe symptoms. Scores are screening signals, not diagnoses.

How is the SPIN different from the LSAS?

The SPIN is a short self-report of symptom frequency over the past week; the Liebowitz scale (LSAS) lists 24 specific situations rated for fear and avoidance and has clinician- and self-report forms. Both are validated social anxiety screens.

Can social anxiety improve?

Yes. Social anxiety is among the most treatable anxiety conditions — cognitive behavioral therapy and, in some regions, medication have strong evidence. Tracking SPIN scores over weeks can show whether things are moving in the right direction.

Learn More

Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS)

Take the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) to assess social anxiety symptoms. This 24-item measure evaluates fear and avoidance in social and performance situations.

Start

UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3)

Featured

A brief 3-item screening for feelings of loneliness and social isolation

Start

Type D Personality Test

Featured

Evaluates negative affectivity and social inhibition traits associated with Type D personality.

Start

Sociability Test

The classic 16-question sociability quiz (1981): yes / sometimes / no, your contact-making style in 2 minutes

Start