Lower Levels Of Social Anxiety Research Articles

Attentional Bias of Individuals with Social Anxiety towards Facial and Somatic Emotional Cues in a Holistic Manner.

Attentional bias towards threatening information is a crucial factor contributing to the development and persistence of social anxiety. However, the attentional bias towards threat information and the preferential processing pattern of emotional cues in individuals with social anxiety disorder during integrated facial and physical stimuli processing remain unclear. In this study, we employed a dot-probe paradigm to investigate the attentional bias towards integrated emotions (facial-body) among students with high and low levels of social anxiety (Experiment 1). Experiments 2 and 3 examined the attentional bias of socially anxious individuals when faced with conflicting emotional cues from faces or bodies in relation to integrated emotions. The data revealed that participants both high and low levels of social anxiety participants exhibited accelerated orienting and biased attention towards facial-body emotional processing. When there was inconsistency between emotional cues from faces or bodies and integrated emotions, higher levels of social anxiety were associated with increased vigilance towards threatening faces or bodies. These findings underscore that individuals with social anxiety possess an ability to rapidly capture threatening cues during the processing of facial-body emotional stimuli while also demonstrating a tendency to avoid relying solely on facial cues by compensating through bodily cues for emotion perception.

Exploring the Nexus between Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity, Self-Disclosure, Social Anxiety, and Adolescent Social Avoidance: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study in Central China.

Objectives: Psychological issues among adolescents represent a prevalent challenge in today's society. The purpose of this study is to explore the associations among moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, self-disclosure, social anxiety, and social avoidance in adolescents. Methods: This study collected cross-sectional data from 427 students in eight provincial key junior and senior high schools in the central China region of three provinces using snowball sampling and convenience sampling from July to August 2023. A structural equation model was employed to investigate the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and social avoidance among adolescents. Results: The findings indicate that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is negatively correlated with social anxiety (standardized coefficient = -0.219, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with self-disclosure (standardized coefficient = 0.454, p < 0.001). Social anxiety is negatively correlated with self-disclosure (standardized coefficient = -0.220, p < 0.001). Social avoidance is positively correlated with social anxiety (standardized coefficient = 0.461, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with self-disclosure (standardized coefficient = -0.331, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The chain-mediated dual-path model between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and social avoidance is facilitated by social anxiety and self-disclosure. In other words, adolescents who engage in more moderate to high-intensity physical activities exhibit lower levels of social anxiety, and those who have a stronger inclination for self-disclosure tend to demonstrate lower levels of social avoidance. In light of these findings, it is recommended that the government, society, schools, and families collaborate synergistically to promote the holistic well-being of adolescents and advance the development of a healthier China.

Differences in perceived online communication and disclosing e-motions among adolescents and young adults: The role of specific social media features and social anxiety.

Social media are widely used by adolescents and young adults as a mean to maintain interpersonal relationships. Recent studies have found that young individuals with high levels of social anxiety feel more confident in communicating online. However, little is known about the role of perceived social media characteristics that could minimize the distress they experienced in face-to-face interactions. In this study, we rely on the tenets of the Transformation Framework, according to which social media, with its own features, may transform social relationships, including disclosing emotions and communicating with others online, in ways that may differ across individuals with or without specific vulnerability (e.g., social anxiety). Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims at examining the contribution of three specific social media features (i.e., asynchronicity, cue absence, and visualness) in explaining perceived breadth and depth of online communication, both directly and via e-motional processes (i.e., expression and facilitating use of e-motions), across groups of individuals with high versus low levels of social anxiety. Participants were 1046 Italian adolescents and young adults (61.4% females; Mage = 17.9, SD = 3.23) who completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire between 2021 and 2022. Participants with very high scores on social anxiety (above the 90th percentile; socially anxious), were distinguished from all others (socially nonanxious) and a multigroup analysis (MGA) was run to compare the pattern of associations across the two different groups. Results from the MGA showed significant differences between the two groups, partially confirming our hypotheses. Specifically, among socially anxious individuals, perceived cue absence was found to benefit perceived breadth and depth of online communication, and asynchronicity to enhance online emotional processes; conversely, these associations were negative in the group of socially nonanxious. Thus, these findings underly the contribution of social media in explaining youngsters' online experiences and support the potential beneficial role of some social media features for those more socially vulnerable.

Hubungan Dukungan Sosial dengan Kecemasan Sosial pada Klien Balai Pemasyarakatan Kelas I Banjarmasin

This study aims to examine the relationship between social support and social anxiety among inmates at Bapas Kelas I Banjarmasin. A quantitative research design with a correlational approach was employed to investigate the potential connection between these variables. The sample comprised 128 inmates, selected using quota sampling, from the total population of 1,278 registered in the System Database Pemasyarakatan (SDP) of the institution. Data were collected using self-report measures: the Social Support Scale based on Sarafino and Smith's aspects of social support and the Social Anxiety Scale based on La Grace and Lopez's aspects of social anxiety. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson's product-moment correlation in SPSS version 22.0. The results revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between social support and social anxiety (r = -0.404, p &lt; 0.001), indicating that higher levels of social support are associated with lower levels of social anxiety among inmates. The study also examined the distribution of social anxiety levels and found that 56% of participants exhibited low social anxiety, 42% had moderate social anxiety, and 2% experienced high social anxiety. Additionally, the analysis indicated that 80% of inmates reported high social support, while 20% reported moderate social support. The implications of these findings suggest the importance of fostering social support networks within correctional facilities to alleviate social anxiety among inmates. Providing mental health services, implementing gender-specific interventions, and focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration strategies are recommended to enhance inmates' overall well-being. Further research should explore the specific factors contributing to variations in social support and social anxiety levels among inmates. By addressing these aspects, correctional institutions can play a pivotal role in promoting inmates' psychological well-being and successful reintegration into society upon release.

Predictors of treatment attrition of cognitive health interventions in first episode psychosis.

Dropping out of psychological interventions is estimated to occur in up to a third of individuals with psychosis. Given the high degree of attrition in this population, identifying predictors of attrition is important to develop strategies to retain individuals in treatment. We observed a particularly high degree of attrition (48%) in a recent randomized controlled study assessing cognitive health interventions for first-episode psychosis participants with comorbid social anxiety. Due to the importance of developing interventions for social anxiety in first episode psychosis, the aim of the present study was to identify putative predictors of attrition through a secondary analysis of data. Participants (n= 96) with first episode psychosis and comorbid social anxiety were randomized to receive cognitive behavioural therapy for social anxiety or cognitive remediation. Differences between completers and non-completers (<50% intervention completed) were compared using t-tests or chi-square analyses; statistically significant variables were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model. Non-completers tended to be younger, had fewer years of education and had lower levels of social anxiety compared to completers. Lower baseline social anxiety and younger age were statistically significant predictors of non-completion in the logistic regression model. Age and social anxiety were predictors of attrition in cognitive health interventions in first episode psychosis populations with comorbid social anxiety. In the ongoing development of social anxiety interventions for this population, future studies should investigate specific engagement strategies, intervention formats and outcome monitoring to improve participant retention in treatment.

Coping behavior for social phobia

Social phobias remain widespread disorders, with only a small proportion of people seeking qualified help. In addition, at the moment there is a lack of comprehensive studies of coping behavior in social phobias. In this regard, a comprehensive study of this phenomenon becomes relevant. This work includes issues of social frustration and social support, as well as the level of perceived stress, which allows a more holistic view of the process of coping with stress. The article describes the results of a study of coping behavior in individuals with different levels of social anxiety. The study was conducted online. The sample consisted of 197 respondents: 56 of them had a low level of social anxiety, 79 had an average level, 41 respondents had an extremely high level of social anxiety, which allows us to speak about the presence of certain manifestations of social phobia. The following methods were used in the study: Social Anxiety and Social Phobia Questionnaire; Ways of coping behavior; personal questionnaire Big 5 adapted by D.P.Yanichev; Multidimensional scale of perception of social support in the adaptation of V.M.Yaltonsky and N.A. Sirota; The level of social frustration and the Scale of perceived stress — 10. The results of the study indicate an increased level of perceived stress and a lack of coping resources in a group of people with social phobia. In turn, the coping strategies of this group are not balanced: there is a predominance of avoidance with a rare use of problem solving planning, the search for social support and positive reassessment. In addition, the level of social frustration for the group of people with social phobias is higher than for the average and low levels of social anxiety. In general terms, we can talk about maladaptive coping behavior in individuals with social phobia.

Relationships among peer- relatedness, self-confidence, peer victimization, social anxiety and school satisfaction in American high school students

ABSTRACT Background Poor peer relationships and peer victimization can enhance anxiety and diminish adolescents’ school experiences, whereas positive peer relationships and self-confidence can enhance school satisfaction. These experiences may be particularly relevant in physical education (PE) settings; yet, little is known about the roles that peers in PE play in students’ adjustment (e.g. self-confidence, anxiety, school satisfaction). Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine whether and to what extent (1) student perceived peer-relatedness support, and frequency of peer victimization (i.e. witnessing, victimization, and perpetration) explain social anxiety in PE, and (2) student perceived peer-relatedness support, and self-confidence in PE explain student perception of school satisfaction. Design This is a descriptive-analytic study utilizing multi-stage random sampling methods for recruitment. Participants included American high school students (N = 224; grades 9–12; female = 53.2% male = 36.8%) aged 14–18 years (M age = 15.25, SD = 0.97) who completed an electronic survey containing five total instruments to measure peer-relatedness support, frequency of peer victimization, social anxiety in PE, self-confidence in PE, and perception of school satisfaction. Results Results from hierarchical multiple regression revealed that peer-relatedness in PE was important regarding social anxiety experienced in PE (β = −.24; p = −0.29) explaining 7.3% of the variance, and even contributed towards overall school satisfaction (β = 0.26; p = 0.34) explaining 11.1% of the variance. Higher levels of peer-relatedness were associated with lower levels of social anxiety and higher levels of school satisfaction. Further, self-confidence in PE was positively associated with overall school satisfaction (β = 0.18; p = 0.30) explaining 1.9% of the variance. Students’ victimization experience in PE, whether as a perpetrator, victim, or witness, was not significantly related to social anxiety (β = 0.07, p = 0.14; β = −0.90, p = −0.16; β = −0.10 p = 0.06, respectively). Conclusion Students experiencing positive peer-relatedness and self-confidence in PE tend to be more satisfied with school and less socially anxious in PE. However, predictor variables only explained a small percentage of variance in the outcomes of interest, particularly for social anxiety, suggesting that additional research is needed to elucidate additional factors associated with school satisfaction and social anxiety given their key role in students’ overall adjustment. Nonetheless, this study suggests that the peer context within PE classrooms should be considered in future research and teachers’ classroom practices.

The “Well-Dressed Snake Personality”: An Insight into Narcissistic/Psychopathic Personalities

How many kinds of malevolent characters are out there? In line with Paulhus and Williams (2002) the answer is three, namely the Dark Triad of Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy. Dark traits (DT) are associated with emotional deficits, exploitation, immoral strategic thinking, and risky behaviors. All three traits have been largely investigated mainly during the last decades. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview about the available literature regarding the characteristics of personality traits associated with the DT, by focusing on the main consequences of the DT from a psychopathological and psychiatric perspective. Studies found a strong association between DT traits and several types of negative psychosocial outcomes such as substance use, sexual promiscuity, aggression, and crime. Nevertheless, there is specific literature showing the advantages of scoring high DT traits, for example the assumption of positions of authority over other people, and the expression of low levels of social anxiety. Although the literature mainly focuses on the consequences that DT traits may have for society in general, there is a lack of studies investigating the personal repercussions, in the psychopathological and/or psychiatric dimensions in those individuals scoring high DT traits. Therefore, further research is needed to clarify how the different personality dark traits may interact with each other and modulate not only the individual’s life choices but also how and whether DT traits may predispose or not to the onset of a specific psychiatric disorder.

Trajectories of Perceived Discrimination among Chinese Rural-to-Urban Migrant Early Adolescents: Predictors and Outcomes.

Perceived discrimination is associated with poorer psychological adjustment and greater problem behaviors among rural-to-urban migrant adolescents. Yet, the predictors and the consequences of distinct changing patterns of perceived discrimination are less clear. The current study sought to identify distinct patterns of perceived discrimination trajectories and examine the developmental implications of these patterns among 385 Chinese rural-to-urban migrant early adolescents (Mage = 10.49, SDage = 0.69; 62% boys). Four distinct patterns of perceived discrimination trajectories, i.e., Low-stable (79.59%), Decreasing (9.08%), High-stable (6.11%), and Increasing (5.22%), were identified. Predictors including resilience, family support, peer support, and demographic characteristics (i.e., gender and school types) contributed to differences in pattern membership. Moreover, the Low-stable pattern exhibited more favorable distal outcomes (i.e., lower levels of social anxiety and loneliness and higher levels of self-esteem) than the other three patterns; the Decreasing group had lower levels of loneliness than the High-stable group. The findings extend the understanding of the predictors and consequences of perceived discrimination among rural-to-urban migrant early adolescents from a developmental perspective.

Stigma, insight and social anxiety in first episode patients with psychosis

IntroductionPeople with schizophrenia are considered to be within the most stigmatized social groups. Accurate and efficient detection of stigma and its correlates is essential in patients with psychosis.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess illness insight, stigma, social anxiety and quality of life in patients with a first episode of psychosis and their possible correlationsMethodsThe sample of this study consisted of 90 patients with a first episode of psychosis that fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. Tools used for the purpose of this study were Schedule for the assessment of insight-Expanded version, Internalized Stigma for Mental Illness Scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment - Greek version, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale - Greek version. Data were collected and analyzed with SPSS v26.ResultsThe study group had good insight (SAI-E score: 20.33±4.449), medium to high stigma values (ISMI score 50.93±7.854), a good enough quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF score: 86.08±10.010) and low levels of social anxiety (LSAS-Gr Fear score: 3.26±8.653; Anxiety score: 2,93±7,596). The results of this study show significant at the 0.01 level 2-tailed correlations as such: (i) a positive and significant relationship between ISMI and LSAS-Gr, (ii) a negative and significant relationship between ISMI and WHOQOL-BREF, and (iii) a negative and moderate relationship between WHOQOL-BREF and LSAS-Gr.ConclusionsWe report medium to high stigma levels, good insight and a good enough quality of life in a sample of first-episode patients with psychosis.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Reductions in social anxiety during treatment predict lower levels of loneliness during follow-up among individuals with social anxiety disorder

IntroductionIndividuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are at elevated risk of loneliness, yet little research has examined loneliness in this population. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have demonstrated efficacy in treating SAD, yet research has not examined whether they lead to reductions in loneliness. MethodsThis sample comprised 108 individuals with SAD who were randomized to CBGT, MBSR, or a waitlist control (WL); WL participants were re-randomized to CBGT or MBSR following WL. Assessments were completed pre- and post-treatment, and 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up assessments. ResultsCompared to WL, individuals in CBGT and MBSR were less lonely at post-treatment; there was no difference between treatments after treatment or during follow-up. Greater reductions in social anxiety from pre- to post-treatment predicted lower levels of loneliness during follow-up. Greater reductions in loneliness from pre- to post-treatment also predicted lower levels of social anxiety during follow-up. DiscussionIndividuals who experience reductions in their social anxiety during treatment may also feel less lonely following treatment. Reductions in loneliness also lead to improvements in social anxiety. Future research should continue to examine the relationship between social anxiety and loneliness and how interventions for SAD may help reduce loneliness.

E-cigarette use among young adults: A latent class analysis examining co-use and correlates of nicotine vaping

IntroductionAlthough a significant proportion of young adults report e-cigarette use (nicotine vaping), little is known about co-use with other substances, including correlates that predict co-use. The current study aimed to identify co-occurring substance use patterns and evaluate multiple correlates in a college student sample. Methods435 participants (21.4 ± 2.9 years; 57% women; 41% Hispanic/Latina/o, 29% Asian-American/Pacific Islander, 17% Caucasian/White, 6% Multiracial, and 5% African-American/Black) from a large, urban university were recruited in-person and completed an online survey in the fall of 2018 and the spring of 2019. ResultsUsing latent class analysis (LCA), four substance use patterns were identified: Binge Drinkers (7%); e-cigarette Users (8%); Cannabis Users (14%); and Low Substance Users (71%). The e-cigarette Users class was characterized by moderate or greater use (>5 days of nicotine vaping in past 30-days) as well as past 30-day binge drinking and cannabis use. Higher levels of deviant peer affiliation (aOR = 1.28[1.11–1.47], p < .01), impulsivity-lack of premeditation (aOR = 1.36[1.05–1.78], p < .05), and lower levels of social anxiety (aOR = 0.94[0.88−0.99], p < .05), predicted membership in the e-cigarette Users class. ConclusionsThe most pervasive co-occurring substance use was observed among the e-cigarette Users class. Young adults reporting moderate or greater levels of nicotine vaping tended to engage in binge drinking and cannabis use, which may ultimately increase risk of deleterious health outcomes. Deviant peer affiliation and impulsivity-lack of premeditation (but not internalizing symptoms) predicted membership in the e-cigarette Users class; consequently, public health efforts may benefit from increased selectivity in targeting young adults for e-cigarette prevention and intervention services.

Attention allocation to subliminally presented affective faces in high and low social anxiety

Attention bias to affective stimuli, particularly threatening stimuli, has been well documented, with attention bias to affective faces often reported in populations with social anxiety (SA). However, inconsistencies exist in the literature regarding the direction of the bias, with some studies reporting a bias to attend toward social threat, and others reporting a bias to avoid social threat. This variability in the attention bias literature could be related to fluctuations in how attentional resources are allocated toward social stimuli over time. This study aimed to isolate early processing of affective faces using a backward masking paradigm in participants with high and low levels of subclinical SA. We used prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle to index the amount of early attention allocated to masked affective faces. There was greater PPI to masked angry faces compared to neutral faces across all participants, suggesting that more attention was allocated to threatening faces. This effect was similar across face genders and participant SA levels. There was also a trend for more attention to be allocated to masked affective faces (angry and happy) compared to neutral faces across all participants. These findings demonstrate that attention bias to subliminal affect, and threat specifically, may not be modulated by subclinical levels of SA at very early stages of attention processing.

Behavior when socially anxious individuals expect to be (dis)liked: The role of self-disclosure and mimicry in actual likeability

Background and objectivesThis study aimed to unravel the relationship between socially anxious individuals’ expectation of being (dis)liked and actual likeability by looking at the mediating role of both strategic and automatic social behavior: Self-disclosure as well as mimicry were examined. MethodFemale participants (N = 91) with various levels of social anxiety participated in a social task with a confederate. Before the task, participants indicated their expectation of being liked by the confederate. Afterwards, objective video-observers rated the likeability of the participants before and after the social task as well as their level of self-disclosure and mimicry. ResultsSocial anxiety correlated negatively with the expectation to be liked but was not related to observer ratings of likeability, self-disclosure or mimicry. However, degree of social anxiety moderated the relation between expectations and self-disclosure. As expected, participants with low levels of social anxiety disclosed more if they expected to be liked. A reversed pattern was found for the high socially anxious participants: Here, higher expectations of being liked were related to less self-disclosure. LimitationsThe study used an analogue female sample. Our social interaction task was highly structured and does not reflect informal day-to-day conversations. ConclusionSocially anxious individuals function rather well in highly structured social tasks. No support was found for declined likeability or disrupted mimicry. Nevertheless, high socially anxious individuals did have a cognitive bias and show a self-protective strategy: when expecting a neutral judgment they reduce their level of self-disclosure. This pattern probably adds to their feelings of social disconnectedness.

Involuntary autobiographical memories and future projections in social anxiety

ABSTRACTIntrusive involuntary memories and images are a cardinal phenomenon in a range of psychological disorders, but not systematically examined in social anxiety. We examined potential biases upon generating involuntary versus voluntary memories and future projections in individuals with high and low levels of social anxiety. Participants recorded involuntary and voluntary autobiographical events, and their associated emotional response in a structured mental time travel diary. High social anxiety was associated with more intense anxiety and embarrassment and greater use of a range of emotion regulation strategies upon generating all types of autobiographical events. Involuntary (versus voluntary) memories and future events were associated with a heightened emotional response independent of social anxiety, and memories were associated with more embarrassment than imagined future events. The effects of high versus low social anxiety and involuntary versus voluntary generation process were independent from each other. The findings have implications for affective and cognitive models of involuntary memories and future projections in emotional disorders.

The Relationship Among Attributional Style, Mentalization, and Five Anxiety Phenotypes in School-Age Children

ABSTRACT Literature has shown the importance of social cognition for emotional wellness. However, to our knowledge, few studies so far investigated the relationship between social cognition and anxiety in childhood. No study systematically examined social cognition in relation to specific domains of anxiety. By a correlational design and multivariate models, we explored in a sample of 337 children the association between five anxiety phenotypes and two social cognition domains (Mentalization/Attributional style). After controlling for depressive symptoms, we found that a good performance in the mentalization task was predicted by high levels of generalized anxiety and low levels of separation anxiety. Moreover, positive attributions for good events were predicted by low levels of social anxiety. The present findings remark the importance of rehabilitating social cognition skills in children with social/separation anxiety and depressive symptoms.

A latent profile analysis of social anxiety and alcohol use among college students

BackgroundThe social, normative nature of alcohol use may make college students with social anxiety vulnerable to problematic alcohol use. Yet, social anxiety is typically unrelated to drinking quantity or frequency. One potential explanation is that researchers primarily use a variable-centered approach to examine alcohol use among students with social anxiety, which assumes population homogeneity. MethodsThe current study utilized a person-centered approach to identify distinct classes among 674 college students (69.6% female) based on social anxiety characteristics and alcohol use behaviors, and tested how these classes differed in their experience of adverse outcomes. ResultsLatent profile analysis resulted in six distinct classes of students – two classes with low levels of social anxiety and non-problematic drinking behaviors that differed based on frequency of alcohol use, three classes with moderate levels of social anxiety that differed based on quantity, frequency, and extent of problematic drinking behaviors, and one class with high levels of social anxiety and low, frequent problematic drinking behaviors. Two classes – moderate levels of social anxiety and heavy, problematic drinking behaviors or high levels of social anxiety and light, problematic drinking behaviors – appeared to have riskier profiles due to endorsing more social anxiety-specific beliefs about social impressions while drinking and more emotional distress. ConclusionsCurrent findings offer clarity surrounding the role of alcohol use in the association between social anxiety and problematic alcohol use. Although preliminary, findings demonstrate that comorbid social anxiety and alcohol use disorder symptoms appear to place students at greater risk for adverse outcomes.

Perpetuating factors of social anxiety: a serial mediation model.

There is evidence that individuals with high levels of social anxiety utilize more safety behaviours and experience more post-event processing than those with lower levels of social anxiety. There are also data to suggest that the relationship between safety behaviour use and social anxiety symptoms is mediated by perceived control of one's anxiety. Furthermore, it has been suggested that post-event processing influences anticipatory anxiety for a future social situation. A direct link between the perpetuating factors of social anxiety described above has not been established in the literature. The aim of the current study was to test a model examining the relationship between these constructs. Participants first completed a battery of questionnaires. They then participated in an impromptu, 3-minute speech and were informed they would be videotaped. Following the speech, participants completed measures of anxiety and were instructed to return the following week. During the second session, they were informed they would deliver an additional speech and provided ratings of their anxiety in anticipation of delivering the second speech. The results of a serial mediation support that greater levels of social anxiety lead to less perceived control over one's anxiety, leading to increased safety behaviour use. The increase in safety behaviours led to an increase of post-event processing which resulted in greater anticipatory anxiety for a future speech task. This study provides novel evidence for the importance of perceived control in the genesis of social anxiety, which has implications for treatment.

Theory of mind and peer relationships: The role of social anxiety

AbstractRecent research has shown that individual differences in theory of mind (ToM) during middle childhood are linked with individual differences in children's peer relationships. The present longitudinal study investigated this association more deeply, exploring the potential mediating role played by children's social anxiety. We tested a group of 66 children (11.5 years old at Time 1) three times over one year after their transition to secondary school. Over and above language, SES and stability in individual differences, ToM performance shortly after starting secondary school (Time 1) predicted higher peer acceptance, as well as lower peer rejection, one year later (Time 3) via lower levels of social anxiety over time (Time 2). This study extends our knowledge about the links between social understanding and interpersonal relations in middle childhood. The results suggest that ToM may play an important role in children's adjustment when confronting new social contexts.

Are Socially Anxious Children Really Less Liked, or Do They Only Think So?

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of social anxiety with self-perceived and peer-reported likability, while controlling for the possible influence of depression. In total, 586 children (7 to 13 years) completed questionnaires to measure social anxiety, self-assessed likability, and depression. Peer-reported likability was derived from sociometric data on likability. As expected, children with higher self-reported social anxiety perceived themselves as less liked by classroom peers than children with lower self-reported social anxiety. In reality, children with higher levels of social anxiety were more liked by peers than children with lower levels of social anxiety. Multilinear regression analyses indicated no confounding effect of depression: Social anxiety, but not depression, was a significant predictor of biased perceived likability. Correcting the discrepancy between objective versus subjective likability may be a crucial target in the prevention and treatment of social anxiety disorders in children.