This study investigates how self-efficacy, psychological resilience, social anxiety, and digital addiction interact among university students in today's digital context. A cross-sectional design was applied to 511 undergraduates from three public universities in Turkey using structural equation modeling (SEM). Measures included the general self-efficacy, psychological resilience, social anxiety, and digital addiction scales. Results show that self-efficacy and psychological resilience significantly and negatively predict both social anxiety and digital addiction. Students with stronger beliefs in their capabilities and greater resilience cope more effectively with stress and are less prone to problematic technology use. In contrast, social anxiety positively predicts digital addiction: students experiencing higher social anxiety tend to avoid face-to-face interactions and turn to online settings, heightening addiction risk. Mediation analyses indicate that social anxiety partially mediates the links between self-efficacy, psychological resilience, and digital addiction. The proposed model explains 22% of the variance in social anxiety and 28% in digital addiction. Conceptually, the findings underscore that digital addiction extends beyond "screen time," reflecting deeper emotional needs, self-regulation capacities, and social avoidance tendencies. Practically, the study supports university-level awareness programs, stress management, and digital literacy training to foster self-efficacy and resilience. Additionally, cognitive-behavioral and emotion-focused interventions aimed at reducing social anxiety may help prevent digital addiction. Overall, the study provides an evidence-based foundation for holistic interventions that promote young adults' psychological well-being in the digital era.

Three-day intensive group cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety in Chinese college students: A randomized controlled trial with an exploratory analysis of underlying mechanisms.

Neurocognitive mechanisms of mental imagery-based fear conditioning in individuals with social anxiety.

Associations of generalized and social anxiety with somatic symptoms in Japanese university students.

Emotion processing models in individuals with different levels of social anxiety based on the crowd emotion perception task.

Research on attention allocation to signs of social feedback in social anxiety has mainly shown attentional avoidance. Yet, our social world is vastly changing. Physical in-person encounters are no longer the sole medium for social interactions, as social media platforms (SMP's) fulfil a significant part of social life. Still, assessing attention allocation to indicators of social evaluation/feedback in social anxiety in this novel environment is still scarce. Socially anxious (n=30) and nonanxious participants (n=30) completed a reading comprehension task while an Instagram page (unrelated to the task) was concurrently visible on the computer screen. Critically, the Instagram page included an image reflecting participants’ personal features (a personalized portfolio), which received "ongoing" mock social evaluation (in the form of “Likes") while participants completed the reading comprehension task. Using eye-tracking methodology, we monitored participants’ attention allocation to the Instagram page, computing the total number of visits to, and the total time spent on, the Instagram page. We then divided the Instagram page to three complementing areas – the "Like" icon; the personalized portfolio image; and the rest of the page – and repeated the same analyses. Socially anxious participants exhibited greater attention allocation to the Instagram page, manifesting in both attentional indices (visits, dwell time), which was specifically driven by the Like icon. Results were not affected by participants’ daily Instagram usage time. Socially anxious individuals are biased toward signs of social evaluation/feedback when on SMPs, diverging from prior research on attention allocation during ‘concrete/real’ social evaluative contexts. • Socially anxious participants allocated more attention to the Instagram page • This increased attention allocation manifested in both saccade and fixation data • Attention allocation was driven by the “like” icon signaling social evaluation • Group differences in attention allocation emerged in the second time epoch • Results were not affected by participants’ daily Instagram usage time

Visual attention patterns in social anxiety disorder across various socio-evaluative tasks: Findings from a virtual reality eye-tracking study

The increasing use of the Internet and social media has led to growing concerns about their impact on mental health, particularly among young people. Different studies have shown that young adults are susceptible to digital addiction across different parts of the globe. This study aimed to compare digital addiction (symptoms, nomophobia, and daily digital media usage) and mental health-related variables (anxiety, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and self-esteem) in 773 university students from Spain and Indonesia (Mage=20.31, SD=2.54). They completed an online survey, with the following measures: Addiction Risk to Social Networks and Internet Scale (AR-SNIS), Social Anxiety Scale (SAS-A), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10), and UCLA Loneliness Scale, as well as one question regarding daily digital media usage. The results showed significant correlations between the variables, and that Indonesian participants showed more addiction symptoms (U=38,970.5, p<.001), nomophobia (U=33,436, p<.001), daily digital media usage (c2=41.17, df=3, p<.001), anxiety (U=40,885, p<.001) and loneliness (U=54,358, p<.001) than the Spanish sample, who showed lower self-esteem (U=42,286, p<.001). This comparative study between two countries that represent diverse cultural contexts aimed to provide insights into the structural and situational factors of digital addiction and its impact on mental health. Early identification of problematic behaviors associated with digital addiction may prevent the development of future psychological consequences and promote interventions for healthy digital use.

Modelling social fear in mice: advancements in social fear conditioning and social defeat paradigms.

The relationship between personal growth initiative and college students’ social anxiety: the mediating role of core self-evaluation and social comparison orientation

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) significantly affect women’s quality of life and are associated with psychological distress, social anxiety, and reduced sexual satisfaction. These symptoms can interfere with daily functioning, emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, and overall health status, thereby imposing a considerable burden on affected individuals and healthcare systems. Objective: This study aimed to translate and validate the ICIQ-FLUTSsex questionnaire, a widely used tool for assessing sexual concerns related to LUTS. Methodology: A cross-cultural validation study was conducted at Hussain Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Ethical approval was obtained from Riphah International University, and informed consent was secured from all participants. The translation process followed standardized guidelines, including forward translation, expert review, back translation, and pilot testing. A total of 130 women were included: 68 with LUTS and 62 asymptomatic controls, with mean ages of 46.5±8.7 and 31.5±9.4 years, respectively. Among symptomatic participants, 38 sexually active women completed the ICIQ-FLUTSsex. Test-retest reliability was assessed by administering ICIQ-FLUTS, ICIQ-FLUTSqol, ICIQ-FLUTS-LF, and ICIQ-FLUTSsex twice with a two-week interval. Content validity was evaluated by ten experts using the Content Validity Index (CVI). Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s α, while reliability was assessed through weighted Kappa and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Discriminant validity was analyzed using ROC curves. Results: The questionnaires demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α: 0.854–0.972) and strong test-retest reliability (Kappa: 0.730–0.955; ICC: 0.803–0.992). Discriminant validity was acceptable (AUC: 0.657–0.970). After three months of treatment, 30 symptomatic women showed significant improvement in quality of life and sexual function, along with reduced LUTS severity (p &lt; 0.001). The ICIQ-FLUTSsex also showed good responsiveness to treatment changes. Conclusion: The Urdu version of ICIQ-FLUTSsex demonstrated strong validity and reliability. It is a suitable tool for assessing sexual issues related to LUTS in Urdu-speaking women, supporting both clinical practice and research.

Social isolation is a concern among aging populations, and household composition may play an important role in its impact on mental health. We use data from an aging cohort in rural South Africa to investigate the moderating role of household size and both gender and age composition in how declining extra-household social contact during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted anxiety. The participants included in the data completed both wave 3 of Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community (HAALSI) and a temporally overlapping COVID-19 phone survey (July 2021-March 2022) (n = 2,054). We measured anxiety using a modified 2-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale and used household size and the numbers of women, men, older adults (ages 60+), and children (<age 15) in the household as modifying measures. Analyses used gender-stratified generalized estimating equations with a logit link. Among both women and men, a decrease in in-person social interaction was associated with greater odds of increased anxiety during the same time period. Living in larger households, households with more men, and households with more children increased the magnitude of the association between decline in in-person interactions and odds of increased anxiety for women. We did not find significant modifying effects for men. We speculate that these results stem largely from the caregiving burden, which falls more heavily on women than men, especially among the aging population in this setting. Furthermore, they have implications for aging adults who may experience greater social isolation with age.

Autistic people sometimes camouflage their behaviour to appear non-autistic. This meta-analysis rigorously tests the relationship between autistic traits and camouflaging, examining contributing person- and study-level variables. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched PubMED, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ProQuest Dissertations in April 2025. All quantitative designs examining autistic traits and camouflaging on a continuum were included. Fifty papers (N = 16,895; ages 10-90) contributed to a three-level meta-analysis (accounting for dependent effect sizes). Study quality was medium to high with no evidence of publication bias. Results revealed a moderate association between autistic traits and camouflaging (r = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.30-0.39), comparable across sexes. Depression, but not anxiety or social anxiety, moderated the relationship. Age was not a moderator, but the association was stronger in general population samples (vs diagnosed), with self-reported autism measures (vs observational), and when using the discrepancy method for camouflaging (vs self-report). Among camouflaging subdomains, assimilation showed the strongest effect, followed by compensation and masking. Limited sample diversity constrains inferences across the full spectrum. This meta-analysis provides a clearer understanding of when, why, and how autistic traits are related to camouflaging, with important research and clinical implications. No funding was obtained for this study. Registration: https://osf.io/uswtr/?view_only=277aec07cdfc402dae75f4900f291253Lay AbstractUnderstanding the autistic trait and camouflaging relationship is critical to identify who is most vulnerable to camouflaging and the way in which autism and camouflaging measurement may influence our understanding of this phenomenon. This directly impacts clinical diagnosis and support, as camouflaging contributes to diagnostic delay and poorer mental health outcomes, creating a cycle of continued camouflaging. Our findings may help to establish the foundation needed to develop targeted interventions.We completed a systematic search to identify all studies that assessed the relationship between autistic traits and camouflaging. In total, 50 studies met all inclusion criteria. The first author extracted data related to participant characteristics (age, gender, diagnostic status, mental health), autistic trait characteristics, and the camouflaging measurement characteristics.The 50 contributing studies included a total of 16,895 participants (61% female). These data show that the more autistic traits a person has, the more camouflaging they engage in; this relationship is evident for both males and females, and the strength of this relationship does not vary across the adult lifespan. People from the general population show an increase in the strength of this relationship, compared to those diagnosed, and the relationship changes based on how autistic traits and camouflaging are measured and conceptualised. Mental health did not have a clear impact on the overall relationship.There is a nuanced relationship between autistic traits and camouflaging, the strength of which is dependent on specific person-related (diagnostic status and depression) and study-related factors (autistic trait measurement type, camouflaging measurement type, and camouflaging subdomain). Autistic traits are most strongly linked to behaviours that help people to assimilate (try to fit in and appear 'normal'), followed by strategies to compensate for social differences. The act of hiding autistic traits was the least related. Because the relationship between autistic traits and camouflaging was weaker for diagnosed autistic people, further work is needed to test why this occurs. In addition, clinicians must be aware of the potential for camouflaging to disrupt the diagnostic process, and campaigns that aim to reduce stereotypes of autism and promote acceptance of neurodiversity may help to reduce the stigma that drives camouflaging.

Introduction Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) is a highly prevalent disorder and may lead to adverse consequences. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is an effective treatment for PSA in adults and adolescents, yet little is known about the long-term effects of VRET for PSA. Method The current study assessed the clinical effects of a two-phased, four-armed RCT study at 12-month follow-up. In the original trial, a total of 100 adolescents were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: 1). VRET-only, 2) VRET + online exposure program, 3) Online psychoeducation program + online exposure program, or 4) Waitlist + online psychoeducation program. Participants were assessed on public speaking anxiety-, social interaction anxiety- and social phobia symptoms. Results At group level, online psychoeducation and online exposure had a statistically significant reduction in PSAS scores from post-treatment to 12-month follow-up, whereas the other groups maintained their treatment gains. Social interaction anxiety symptoms remained unchanged following the intervention, while the improvement in social phobia symptoms was maintained at 12-month follow-up. Discussion This study provides an early indication that both VRET, and online psychoeducation + online exposure, could be effective methods of reducing PSA in adolescents over a 12-month period. However, as the findings have several limitations, including small sample size, this needs to be explored further. The study was pre-registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04396392) on the 11th of February 2020.

Acromegaly is a chronic multisystem disorder in which growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 excess cause progressive somatic, metabolic, psychological, and functional morbidity. Although biochemical control improves outcomes, many patients continue to experience persistent symptoms, impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and substantial treatment burden. This review synthesizes data from clinical trials, longitudinal cohorts, registry studies, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) research evaluating physical symptoms, HRQoL, mood, interpersonal functioning, work productivity, and financial burden in acromegaly. We examine validated PRO instruments and the impact of medical, surgical, and radiation therapies on the patient experience. Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, arthropathy, sleep disturbance, and body-image concerns are highly prevalent and frequently persist despite biochemical remission. HRQoL remains impaired in physical, psychological, and social domains, with depression and anxiety affecting a substantial proportion of patients. Treatment-related factors, including injection burden, breakthrough symptoms, gastrointestinal effects, and financial and surveillance demands further reduce well-being and productivity. PRO tools, including the Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire, Patient-Assessed Acromegaly Symptom Questionnaire, Acromegaly Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Acromegaly Symptom Diary, reveal discordance between biochemical control and PROs, highlighting the need for standardized PRO assessment and validated minimal important difference thresholds. New oral therapies and long-acting formulations may reduce treatment burden, but comparative PRO data are limited. Despite therapeutic advances, acromegaly remains associated with considerable symptom burden and impaired HRQoL. Patient-centered care requires systematic PRO incorporation, multidisciplinary management of comorbidities, attention to treatment burden, and shared decision-making.

Automatic avoidance of faces primed by threatening expressions in social anxiety: Sustained but not early attentional effects in an eye-tracking paradigm.

This study aims to explore the psychological impact experienced by adolescents due to exposure to beauty standards displayed on the TikTok application. Using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design, this study involved five adolescents aged 16 - 18 years at MAN 4 East Aceh as research subjects. Data collection was carried out through observation, in-depth interviews, and content analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive - interpretive which included data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawn. The findings of the study show three main psychological impacts, namely decreased self-esteem, negative body image, and social anxiety. However, some subjects also reported a motivation to do better despite experiencing psychological impacts. In addition, this study identifies coping strategies used by adolescents to deal with these psychological challenges, including selective content consumption, seeking social support, developing self-acceptance, and utilizing beauty standards as positive motivation. The novelty of this research lies in a phenomenological approach that explores the subjective experiences of adolescent girls in the context of religious Acehnese culture. The implications of the study show the need for psychological intervention programs and digital literacy education to help adolescents use social media more healthily.

The current study extended previous work by further examining the psychometric properties of the Mistake Rumination Scale and its associations with depression and evaluative fears, as well as the cognitive experience of perfectionism and procrastination. Most notably, this study also uniquely examined a possible link between mistake rumination and a perfectionistic self-presentational style in line with our view that needing to outwardly seem perfect reflects internal insecurities and ruminative brooding about mistakes. The Mistake Rumination Scale is a seven-item inventory measuring the tendency to ruminate about a past personal mistake. In a sample of 132 university students, the Mistake Rumination Scale had good psychometric properties, including acceptable internal consistency and concurrent validity in terms of its links with perfectionistic self-presentation and ruminative thoughts related to being perfect and procrastination. Mistake rumination was positively associated with all facets of perfectionistic self-presentation. The measures of mistake rumination and automatic thoughts related to perfectionism and procrastination were all positively linked with depression and social anxiety. Regression analyses showed that mistake rumination was the only significant predictor of depression, while mistake rumination and perfectionistic cognitions were both significant predictors of fear of negative evaluation. Our findings attest to the further use of the Mistake Rumination Scale, highlighting the need for interventions that promote a more positive orientation toward making mistakes and an explicit emphasis on reducing the tendency to ruminate about mistakes.

The mediating role of social anxiety, loneliness and perfectionism in the relationship between fear of missing out (FoMO) and digital addiction.

The Role of Social Self-compassion in Buffering Social Anxiety and Shame: A Cross-Sectional and Daily Survey Analysis