Levels Of Social Anxiety Research Articles

The mediating effect of social intelligence in the association between social anxiety and mental health among Chinese nursing students

Social anxiety is highly prevalent among nursing students and is associated with poor mental health. However, the underlying mechanism in such an association remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the potential mediating role of social intelligence in the association between social anxiety and mental health using the Stress-Coping Model (SCM) as the theoretical framework. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 748 nursing students recruited from a Chinese University from December 2022 to March 2023. Students completed an online questionnaire to assess their social anxiety, social intelligence, and mental health. The PROCESS SPSS Macro (model 4) was used to test the mediation effect of social intelligence on the association between social anxiety and mental health. The results showed that nursing students had moderate levels of social anxiety, social intelligence, and mental health, which varied according to their profile characteristics. Social anxiety was negatively associated with mental health, and the association was partially mediated by social intelligence. Our study offers fresh insights into the impact of social anxiety on mental health and sheds light on the intricate mediating role of social intelligence. These findings offer valuable insights for research and clinical endeavors aimed at formulating psychosocial interventions to enhance the mental health of nursing students.

The effect of social anxiety on social attention in naturalistic situations

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives This multimodal two-phase study investigated the impact of trait social anxiety on exploration, social attention, and autonomic responses in a naturalistic setting. We expected higher avoidance of potentially crowded spaces, reduced visual attention on other people, and heightened physiological arousal in social situations for participants with higher social anxiety levels. Design and Methods Eighty-seven participants, pre-screened for high variance in trait social anxiety, first completed a half-hour walk on a freely chosen route and subsequently had a staged social interaction with a confederate consisting of a non-interactive waiting phase and a short conversation. Results While social anxiety did not modulate the choice of route during the walk phase, socially anxious participants avoided gazing at other individuals in non-interactive situations, i.e., during the walk and the waiting phase. In contrast, during actual interaction, they showed increased visual attention towards the confederate’s face. Across all experimental phases, highly socially anxious individuals showed elevated heart rates, but this effect was independent of the social context. Conclusions This study showed that social anxiety affects social exploration behavior not in a way of general avoidance, but rather in nuanced adaptations depending on the concrete situation, likelihood of interaction and associated socio-evaluative threat.

Impact of perceived social support on anxiety and depression in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: the role of psychological resilience.

This study aimed to analyze the current status of women's perception of social support levels, psychological resilience, anxiety, and depression levels during IVF-ET, as well as investigate the influence of perceived social support and psychological resilience on the anxiety and depression levels of women undergoing IVF-ET and the mediating role of psychological resilience in this process. In this study, a convenience sampling method was used to administer a questionnaire survey among 433 women undergoing IVF-ET. Then, multivariate linear regression models were applied to identify factors influencing anxiety and depression. Lastly, mediation effect analysis was conducted to explore the mediating role of psychological resilience. The incidence of anxiety and depression was 42% and 46.4%, respectively. The mean score of the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) indicated a high to moderate level of support, while the mean score of the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) suggested moderate psychological resilience. Perceived social support was positively correlated with psychological resilience, and both were negatively correlated with anxiety and depression. Perceived social support and psychological resilience were identified as influencing factors of anxiety and depression (P < 0.001). Moreover, there was a partial mediating effect of psychological resilience between perceived social support and both anxiety and depression (P < 0.01). These results highlight the need for healthcare providers to assess patients' levels of psychological resilience and perceived social support when developing mental health interventions in order to mitigate the risk of anxiety and depression and concomitantly enhance fertility outcomes.

Excessive avoidance bias towards uncertain faces in Non-clinical Social Anxiety Individuals

Previous survey studies have consistently shown a strong link between social anxiety and intolerance for uncertainty. However, this association lacks empirical validation from laboratory investigations. To bridge this gap, we conducted a study utilizing the ultimatum game task to assign distinct social connotations (egoistic, altruistic, and uncertain) to three initially neutral faces. Subsequently, we utilized the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) paradigm to evaluate participants' approach-avoidance tendencies towards the faces with varying social meanings. Additionally, we collected data on participants' levels of social anxiety and trait anxiety. Our results indicate that both social anxiety and trait anxiety levels impact individuals' avoidance behaviors when faced with socially uncertain cues. This suggests that individuals with higher levels of social anxiety may demonstrate increased sensitivity to uncertainty in social contexts, leading to avoidance behaviors. Crucially, our findings directly underscore the heightened avoidance tendencies of non-clinical individuals with social anxiety towards socially uncertain stimuli, thereby providing new empirical support for research on anxiety disorders related to uncertainty.

Poor face recognition predicts social anxiety in autism: A short report.

Research has shown that some autistic people have severe difficulties in recognising other people's faces. However, little is understood about how these difficulties impact the daily life and the mental well-being of autistic people. In this study, we asked 60 autistic adults with varying degrees of face recognition ability to complete two tests of face recognition, a questionnaire about social anxiety and a bespoke survey which asked participants about their experiences of face recognition and social interaction. We found that participants who had poor face recognition reported experiencing higher levels of social anxiety compared to those with average or better face recognition skills. More than half felt that their face recognition difficulties affected their social interactions, and over a third believed it hindered their ability to make friends. These findings suggest that face recognition difficulties may contribute to social anxiety among autistic individuals.

Stuttering severity and social anxiety among adults who stutter: A multilevel analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to further investigate the association between social anxiety and stuttering severity among adults who stutter (AWS) at both the between- and within-person levels of analysis. MethodSixty-two AWS (women = 27, men = 35; Mage = 39.5 years, SDage = 14.8) first completed a questionnaire (e.g., trait social anxiety and personality traits) and provided two speech samples (i.e., conversation, reading). Then, participants enrolled in up to 21 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to self-report their momentary stuttering severity, social anxiety, and avoidance behaviors during social interactions. Correlational analyses and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted on between-person level measures. Multilevel mediation analysis was conducted on EMA data to disaggregate between- and within-person processes. ResultsAt the between-person level, percent syllables stuttered (%SS) and person mean Self-Reported Stuttering Severity (iSRSS) were both significantly correlated with trait social anxiety, but not above and beyond the effects of neuroticism, extraversion, the overall impact of stuttering, and avoidance behaviors. At the within-person level, when AWS self-reported to stutter more than they usually do on average, they also tended to exhibit higher levels of social anxiety than they usually did, regardless of the amount of avoidance behaviors exhibited at those moments. The within-person effect between stuttering severity and social anxiety was also significantly mediated by avoidance behaviors. ConclusionThe associations between social anxiety and stuttering differed based on the analysis level (between vs within-person) and whether covariates are included.

The Evolution of Social Anxiety: Tests of Two Theories

Social anxiety, the psychological state of showing fear and avoidance in social situations, remains prevalent in modern society. The research in this article is based on the theoretical background of social threat, which states that people in group life need social anxiety to avoid potential threats that may affect social status or accessible social resources. The prediction of the article is that Social Rank Theory and Social Bonds Theory can be successfully tested, with one relating to social hierarchies in which people maintain their social status by avoiding conflict and maintaining a positive image through social anxiety, while the other states that social anxiety can help maintain existing social bonds. The experiment tests whether the loss of social status and social bonds produces social anxiety. By setting up scenarios and collecting data about participants’ individual levels of social anxiety, it will eventually be possible to conclude how the potential threats present in the different scenarios affect people’s anxiety levels, and whether the possible experimental results can test the two theories.

Cognitive processing biases of social anxiety in adults who do and do not stutter

PurposeAdults who stutter are at risk of developing high levels of social anxiety, leading to negative outcomes and contributing towards stuttering relapse post treatment. To ensure that psychological treatments for social anxiety in stuttering adults are relevant and effective, a broader empirical understanding of the mechanisms of social anxiety in stuttering populations is required. Four key cognitive processing biases identified as maintenance factors in cognitive behavioral models of social anxiety were examined: self-focused attention, safety behavior use, negative self-imagery, and interpretation bias. MethodsAdults who stutter and non-stuttering adults (N = 186) were assessed via an online survey. Participants were categorised into two groups based on stuttering: formally diagnosed stuttering and non-stuttering. Within those groups, participants were further categorised as having low or high levels of social anxiety. Cognitive processing bias was assessed in response to two hypothetical social scenarios (i.e., social interaction and social performance). ResultsAs predicted, in both adults who stutter and who are non-stuttering, high social anxiety was related to greater self-focused attention, safety behavior use and negative self-imagery compared to low social anxiety. No significant effect of social anxiety or stuttering was found in relation to interpretation bias. A significant effect of social anxiety upon negative self-imagery was observed in formally-diagnosed adults who stutter compared to non-stuttering adults. ConclusionThe results support the use of cognitive behavioral models of social anxiety as a framework for research and treatment development within stuttering populations.

Association between Internet Game Addiction and Social Anxiety Symptoms among Adolescents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Internet Gaming Addiction (IGA) can have a significant impact on the characteristics of individual gamers and may even be a contributing factor to the development of social anxiety symptoms. This study of adolescent Saudi Arabian Internet gamers examined the influences of Internet gaming time and probable Internet Gaming Disorders (IGDs). It investigated the association between Internet game addiction and social anxiety symptoms among them. Methodology: The cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to June of 2023 among adolescents in the Saudi population. Probable IGD was measured by using the DSM-5 checklist, and the Arabic version of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) was used to evaluate social phobia or anxiety. Result: A total of 764 participants enrolled in the current study, 52% of whom were females, and 48% were males. 42% belonged to the age group 17-18, and 38% were 15-16. 44.8% of participants have a gaming addiction. There was a significant association between social phobia and gaming addiction (p-value ≤0.05). There was a significant association of social phobia with age and gender (p-value≤0.05). Conclusion: The findings imply a significant correlation between IGA and psychological concerns, particularly among male adolescents. Excessive internet gaming use leads to higher levels of social anxiety.

Exploring the Link Between Social Media Engagement, Social Anxiety, and Environmental Preferences in University Students

As mental health issues become increasingly prominent, social anxiety is prevalent among university students and significantly affects their social behaviors and environmental preferences. With the increasing reliance on social media, understanding how these behaviors shape preferences for physical social environments is crucial for designing supportive campus spaces. This study investigates the relationship between social anxiety, social media usage, and environmental preferences in campus settings. We aim to identify the key environmental factors that can promote healthier social interactions for students with varying levels of social anxiety and social media use. Data were collected from university students through a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, online and offline behavior, social media usage intensity, social anxiety level, and environmental preferences. Using K-means clustering, participants were grouped into four clusters based on their social media usage and social anxiety levels. ANOVA and Multivariate Multiple Regression (MMR) were conducted to examine differences in environmental preferences across these clusters. Significant differences in environmental preferences were observed across the four clusters. Gender and grade influenced social anxiety levels, with females and undergraduate students reporting greater anxiety. Individuals with high social media use, regardless of their anxiety levels, generally exhibited stronger preferences for various environmental dimensions, including openness, convenience, facility provision, safety/comfort, and cultural landscape. However, individuals with higher social anxiety tended to prefer enclosed, facility-rich, and more controlled environments. The relationship between social anxiety and preferences for convenience, safety/comfort, and cultural landscape was minimal or non-significant. This study highlights the importance of considering both behavioral and psychological factors when designing university social environments. By identifying specific environmental preferences of students with high social anxiety, the findings offer evidence-based recommendations for creating more inclusive and supportive campus spaces that promote positive social interactions and well-being.

Testing, revision and application of the social anxiety scale for Chinese social media users.

This study aims to modify the Social Anxiety Scale for Social Media Users (SAS-SMU) to make it more suitable for assessing social anxiety among Chinese social media users, taking into account the unique cultural nuances and social media usage patterns in China. Consequently, a systematic approach was adopted, involving three distinct studies. Study 1 involved translating the English scale into Chinese, conducting interviews with Chinese social media users, and subsequently revising the scale items based on the interview data to ensure cultural appropriateness. Study 2 employed an online survey to collect data and examine the reliability and construct validity of the revised scale, including a two-phase approach: an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted with 500 participants to identify the underlying factor structure, and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with 408 participants was used to cross-validate the results. Thus far, this study has developed a social anxiety scale for Chinese mobile social media users (SAS-CMSMU) consisted of 11 items on three factors: Interaction Anxiety, Privacy Concern Anxiety, and Shared Content Anxiety. Study 3 (N = 1,006) applied the SAS-CMSMU to assess social anxiety among Wechat users. The results indicated that participants showed a high level of overall social anxiety (M = 3.646 > 3). Specifically, Privacy Anxiety was the most pronounced, followed by Shared Content Anxiety and Interaction Anxiety. Moreover, significant statistical differences in social anxiety levels were found among WeChat users across gender, age, education, income, and relationship status.

Childhood trauma and social anxiety in adolescents: Mediating role of cardiovascular response to social stress.

Adolescents exposed to childhood trauma are at an elevated risk for social anxiety. However, the physiological mechanisms linking childhood trauma and adolescents' social anxiety remain poorly understood. This study examined whether cardiovascular reactivity to acute social stress was a mechanism underlying this association. Participants were Chinese adolescents (N = 172; Mage = 12.95). They first reported their childhood trauma and social anxiety using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale. They then participated in a social stress task, during which their cardiovascular data [heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP)] were monitored. The results showed that high levels of childhood trauma were associated with blunted HR, SBP, and DBP reactivity, which in turn were associated with high levels of social anxiety. Mediation analysis indicated that childhood trauma was indirectly associated with social anxiety via blunted cardiovascular reactivity. The findings suggest that blunted cardiovascular reactivity may serve as a physiological pathway linking childhood trauma and adolescents' social anxiety.

Patients with type 2 diabetes and surgical foot wounds: Overtrust in primary care physicians, isolation, and difficulties contemplating the future

AimsIn Europe, 27 % of patients with a podiatric complication of diabetes are referred to a specialized structure for surgery after more than 3 months’ disease progression. Our study aimed to analyze access to healthcare and future self-projection in patients with severe diabetic foot conditions. MethodsWe performed a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews in patients hospitalized with diabetic foot conditions requiring surgical treatment. We collected quantitative data on the diabetes characteristics, levels of social precariousness, anxiety and depression. ResultsWe conducted 13 interviews with 2 females and 11 males; mean age 62.7 years. Five had undergone surgical debridement, six toe amputation, and two mid-tarsal amputation. Most were socioeconomically deprived and/or isolated. Three discourse themes emerged: 1) heterogeneity in the care pathway, with systemic barriers, negligence or overtrust 2) the relationship between social support and the ability to project oneself into the future, 3) poverty of speech. ConclusionsEducation should emphasize the importance of prompt referral to a specialized structure after the onset of a wound. The lack of support from loved ones and social support appeared to be associated with patients’ failure to plan for their future. We advocate for a psychological evaluation and support for all these patients.

The Impact of Loneliness and Social Anxiety on Casual Social Contacts.

Introduction In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness and social isolation have become major public health crises. Loneliness has reached epidemic levels and negatively impacts both health and quality of life. "Casual contacts" is a developing line of research that may hold promise in stemming the current crisis. Casual contacts referto interactions and relationships with people who are neither family nor friends.Our objectives are to (a) document the impact of casual contacts on community-based adults (Studies 1 and 2) and (b) study the impact of loneliness (Studies 1 and 2) and social anxiety (Study 2) on responses to casual contact. Based on prior studies, we expect to find that casual contacts have a generally positive impact on mood.However, the association of both loneliness and social anxiety with hypervigilance to social threat leads to the broad hypothesis that individuals with each of these conditions would be more likely to respond negatively to casual contacts than would others without those conditions. Method This correlational research recruited convenience samples of English-speaking adults living in the United States, using the online platform Survey Monkey. There were no selection criteria beyond (a) language and location and (b) the sample beinggenerally balanced for age and gender. Partial correlation and analysis of covariance were used to examine theassociation of loneliness and social anxiety with feeling worse after casual contacts, while controlling for age, gender, household size, household income, and size of town.Because the current study examines a novel area, individual differences that affect how people experience casual contacts, we ran two studies enabling us to examine whether the results replicated. In total, we surveyed 546 community-dwelling adults about their casual contacts, 174 in Study 1 and 372 in Study 2. Data cleaning was used to minimize/eliminate meaningless and random answers resulting in a final total study sample of 393 participants: 123 in Study 1 and 270 in Study 2. Results The results indicate that casual contacts are common, with fewer than 4% having neither verbal nor electronic contact with an acquaintance weekly, and typically have a positive impact (Study 1 and Study 2). Nevertheless, a significant minority of casual contacts result in negative experiences, which is more probable among respondents who were lonely (Study 1 and Study 2) and/or had higher levels of social anxiety (Study 2). Exploratory analyses showed that both loneliness and social anxiety are linked to feeling worsefor longer periods of time after casual contacts and that positive feelings tend to dissipate more rapidly for those with higher loneliness scores (Study 2). Conclusions These results indicate that clinicians developing interventions that involve casual contacts must consider how to do so safely and effectively for those with a higher degree of loneliness and/or social anxiety.

Социальная тревога российского студенчества: территориальный аспект

Relevance. The article is focused оn the analysis of social anxiety and social phobia of modern Russian students of six regions of the Russian Federation in the context of a Special Military Operation and the sanctions pressure of the collective West on our state and its citizens. Research problem. The purpose of our research is to study the manifestations of social anxiety and sociоphobia caused by military actions among Russian students as a special socio-demographic group of people of the younger generation exposed to social risks. Methods. The total number of respondents was 991 people. All respondents are students of higher educational institutions. The research methodology is the Questionnaire of social anxiety and sociobia (OSTiSF). The article analyzes the data of psychological testing (face-to-face and online) of the large-scale interregional socio-psychological study “Russian students: assessments and patterns of the present and future as a basis for the formation of civic and value attitudes”. Research results. It was determined that the dominant type of social anxiety is post-situational rumination. The highest level of social anxiety was observed among young people living in the new Russian territories. Respondents from the newly annexed territories of the Russian Federation have a statistically higher level of social anxiety and sociоphobia than respondents from Belgorod and the Rostov region. Also, social anxiety is higher in women than in men. Conclusions. Psychological correction of social anxiety and sociophobia among modern youth is an important sphere of implementation of university youth policy. Its solution is the prerogative of specialised units of university psychological services.

The effect of perceived parental conflict on middle school students' social anxiety: The role of self‐compassion and shame

AbstractThis study explores the relationship between perceived parental conflict, self‐compassion, shame, and social anxiety and its internal mechanisms through two studies. Study 1 took 612 middle school students (285 women, 327 men, M = 14.18 years, SD = 1.72) as participants, and the Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale, Self‐compassion scale (SCS), shame scale (SS), and Social Anxiety Scale were used for testing. The results showed that perceived parental conflict was significantly correlated with self‐compassion, shame, and social anxiety. Perceived parental conflict affects middle school students' social anxiety through feelings of self‐compassion and shame. In study 2, 106 middle school students (76 women, 30 men, M = 15.47 years, SD = 0.62) were randomly assigned to the self‐compassion group and control group, and students were asked to complete different literacy tasks, and then fill out the SCS, SS and adolescent social anxiety scale in turn. The results found that in the context of parental conflict, inducing the self‐compassion of middle school students can reduce the level of shame and social anxiety. The introduction of the concept of self‐compassion into the field of middle school students' mental health reveals the function of self‐compassion. It expands the relevant research on the intermediary role of self‐compassion, and also provides innovative ideas for the future research of mental health education in primary and secondary schools.

Comparison of outcomes from a university counselling service before and during COVID‐19: Exploring the use of remote therapy

AbstractBackgroundResearch pooling data from UK university counselling services (UCSs) has allowed UCSs to compare their outcomes and demonstrate their effectiveness in improving student mental health. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, UCSs moved to remote delivery. Consequently, it was necessary to understand how this impacted students' outcomes.AimsThis evaluation aimed to (1) understand how the therapeutic outcomes of a UCS compared with established norms in UK UCS literature, and (2) understand whether delivering therapy online affected student outcomes compared with UK norms from in‐person therapy.MethodSessional outcome data from 627 students who attended the UCS in the 2020/2021 academic year were gathered. Descriptive analyses of students' initial clinical data (determined by the CCAPS‐34) were conducted. Paired sample t‐tests determined differences between the pre‐ and post‐therapy scores. The effect size of this difference was derived.ResultsStudents presented with high levels of academic distress, social anxiety, generalised anxiety and depression. The initial severity of mental health concerns was lower than that reported in previous literature. The largest improvements were evidenced for depression and general anxiety and 25% (n = 112) of students achieved reliable reductions in distress. Compared with existing literature, the UCS showed similar levels of improvement over therapy. It is suggested that remote therapy increased service accessibility.ConclusionThe delivery of remote therapy produced results consistent with norms in the UK data, highlighting the effectiveness of online therapy for university students. Further large‐scale evaluations of student outcomes from remotely delivered therapy are recommended.

Fear of positive evaluation and social affiliation in social anxiety disorder and major depression

Fear of positive evaluation (FPE) is posited as a core feature of social anxiety disorder (SAD); however, little is known about its role in interpersonal functioning. We examined relationships between FPE and responses to a standardized social affiliation paradigm designed to facilitate positive social connection with an unacquainted conversation partner (trained confederate). The sample included adults with SAD (N = 52), major depressive disorder (MDD; N = 23), comorbid SAD and MDD (N = 36), and non-psychiatric controls (N = 33). Participants completed measures assessing FPE, affect, safety behaviors, and desire for future interaction. Confederates and observers rated participant behavior and their own desire for future interaction. FPE was most elevated in the SAD and comorbid groups, followed by the MDD group, and then non-psychiatric controls. In the full sample, FPE was associated with greater self-reported anxiety and safety behavior use, lower self-reported positive affect and desire for future interaction, lower observer-rated desire for future interaction and approach behaviors, and greater observer-rated anxious behaviors. Within-group correlations revealed that associations were weaker in the SAD only and comorbid groups (cf. control and MDD only groups); however, post-hoc moderation analyses indicated that the relationships between FPE and the outcomes of interest largely held across varying levels of social anxiety and depression severity. Findings underscore the potential role of FPE as a transdiagnostic factor relevant to understanding interpersonal functioning in social anxiety and depression.

Oxytocin modulation of explicit pandemic stigma in men with varying social anxiety levels

ObjectiveStigma can create divisions within societies, hindering social cohesion and cooperation. Notably, it has significant public health implications, especially during infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19. However, little is known about the neural and molecular basis of disease-related stigma and their association with individual differences. MethodsTo address this gap, we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject design study with 70 males, to investigate the effect of intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration on the explicit and implicit processing of disease-related stigma (i.e., COVID-19 stigma). After self-administrated 24 IU of OT or placebo, participants completed a stigma evaluation task and an Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess the explicit and implicit processes of stigma evaluation, respectively. ResultsThe results showed that oxytocin amplified the differences between participants with high and low social anxiety in explicit COVID-19 stigma, with a higher inclination to attribute the stigmatized status of the stigmatized targets (i.e., COVID-19 related group) to personal causes in high social anxiety individuals, but reduced blame towards the stigmatized targets in low social anxiety individuals under oxytocin compared to placebo treatment. Furthermore, oxytocin strengthened the connections between responsibility attribution and the other processes (i.e., emotional, approach motivation, social deviance). While no modulation of oxytocin on implicit stigma emerged, oxytocin did modulate the associations between specific dimensions of explicit stigma (i.e., social deviance and approach motivation) and implicit stigma. ConclusionIn conclusion, these findings demonstrated that intranasal oxytocin administration could temporally impact the explicit cognitive judgment in disease-related stigma but not the implicit aspect; furthermore, it modulated in distinct ways in individuals with different levels of social anxiety. These findings highlight the trait-dependent oxytocin modulation on disease-related stigma, implying that oxytocin is partly involved in the endocrine system of disease-related stigma. By unraveling the molecular basis of stigma and its association with individual traits, such as social anxiety, we can tailor interventions to meet specific needs of different individuals in the future.

Social anxiety and weight interact with body salience to affect experiences of social exclusion

ABSTRACT Background Individuals at a higher weight experience greater victimization and exclusion by peers, and limited research suggests that the salience of one’s body image may increase negative emotional reactions to social rejection. Additionally, social exclusion is related to higher levels of social anxiety (SA). We examined how body salience interacts with SA and weight to predict anxiety, self-esteem, and negative affect following social rejection. Methods Participants were undergraduate women (N = 186). We explored the interactive effects of SA, body mass index (BMI), and body salience (i.e., face versus body photo condition) on emotional response to exclusion in a social ostracism paradigm, Cyberball. BMI and self-reported SA were collected at baseline. One week later, participants played Cyberball and reported state affect, anxiety, and self-esteem before and after the game. Results The 3-way interaction of BMI, SA, and photo condition did not significantly predict post-exclusion state measures. Photo condition moderated the relationship between SA and post-exclusion anxiety and between BMI and post-exclusion anxiety. Conclusions Those with higher SA were particularly anxious following exclusion if their bodies were visible to others. Additionally, those with lower BMI experienced greater anxiety after exclusion when their body was visible than those with higher BMI.