The effect of positive and negative evaluation on state anxiety and repetitive negative thinking in social evaluative situations: An experimental study

Abstract

The Bivalent Fear of Evaluation (BFOE) Model suggests that fears of negative and positive evaluation are core cognitive vulnerability and maintenance factors for social anxiety disorder The aim of this study was to experimentally assess cognitive and emotional effects of positive and negative feedback in social anxiety. False positive or negative feedback (vs no feedback) was provided following a speech task to high and low socially anxious individuals to investigate impacts on state anxiety and repetitive negative thinking (N = 152, Mage = 22.13, 69 % female). Measures were completed prior to the speech and after the false feedback but prior to an anticipated discussion with the group about participants’ feedback and performance. High socially anxious participants reporting higher state anxiety and repetitive negative thinking than low socially anxious participants. There were no feedback type by group interactions, indicating that high socially anxious individuals experienced heightened social anxiety and repetitive negative thinking regardless of feedback type (or the absence of feedback). Exploratory analyses revealed that state fear of negative evaluation but not state fear of positive evaluation uniquely predicted both outcomes. Implications for theory and clinical practice are discussed.