Effects of Self-Criticism on Social Anxiety among College Students:Focus on Moderating Effects of Self-Foriveness

Abstract

This study examined the moderating effect of self-forgiveness on the relationship between self-criticism and social anxiety among male and female college students. This study included 441 college students (211 male and 230 female students) with an average age of 22.2. Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted. As a result, the moderating effect of self-forgiveness on the relationship between selfcriticism and social anxiety was significant for male students. A higher level of self-criticism tended to result in a higher level of social anxiety that was strengthened in the group of lower level of self-forgiveness versus a tendency for self-criticism to increase male social anxiety was weaker in the group with a higher level of selfforgiveness. However, the moderating effect of self-forgiveness was not significant in female students and only the main effect of self-criticism on social anxiety was significant.The results provide a basis to understand the psychological processes of social anxiety in college students. The results suggest the necessity to intervene and strengthen self-forgiveness as a protective factor to alleviate the negative effects of self-blame on social anxiety in male college students. Keywords: self-criticism, self-forgiveness, college student’s social anxiety