Social Anxiety Variables Research Articles

Cross-cultural validation of the BFOE model: Best practices and future directions for psychometric evaluation of the Fear of positive evaluation scale – Insights from a Dutch translation

The Bivalent Fear of Evaluation (BFOE) model suggests that Social Anxiety Disorder is not only characterized by fear of negative evaluation (FNE), but also fear of positive evaluation (FPE). While FNE has been firmly established, research of the latter is accumulating. To evaluate the role of the BFOE Model, and particularly FPE, validated measures such as the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale (FPES) are pivotal. Yet, validation of psychometric properties is often at stake or neglected when translating a scale to other languages. This hampers cross-cultural evaluation of questionnaires and related concepts considerably, including the BFOE Model. To illustrate, a freely available, but not validated Dutch version of the FPES was completed, along with other measures by 354 community participants from the Netherlands and Belgium in an online study. The Dutch FPES showed excellent convergent and discriminant validity. In addition, it explained additional variance in social anxiety above and beyond FNE. These results as well as those from the factor analyses were highly comparable with those deriving from evaluations of the original English version. In conclusion, the Dutch FPES showed excellent psychometric properties and is fit for further exploring consistency or differences in the BFOE model across cultures. Based on this case, practice guidelines for international use and validation of measures are discussed, and recommendations are provided.

SOCIAL ANXIETY IN ONLINE INSTRUCTIONAL DISCUSSION FORUMS: THE ROLE OF PARTICIPATION STYLES AND ICT INFRASTRUCTURE

Examination of the personal characteristics (i.e., gender, participation styles) of participants and the technical infrastructure (i.e., device type, internet connection type) of Instructional Discussion Forums (IDFs) can provide functional clues for mitigating social anxiety in these settings. In this context, this research investigated variances in learners' participation styles and social anxiety in IDFs in terms of gender and ICT availability. In addition, it explored the predictive relationships between participation styles and social anxiety. A sample of 272 freshman undergraduate students discussed various topics related to Internet ethics for three weeks through an IDF. The results indicated that participation styles differed by gender and ICT availability in several respects. First, handheld devices and cellular internet connections exerted a medium-size effect on social anxiety. Further, “to get information” and “to fulfill requirement” purposes in the “Why” dimension of participation styles had a small predictive relationship with social anxiety, as did “analytical” and “practical” participation approaches in the “How” dimension. Of these, only the “to get information” purpose negatively predicted social anxiety. Overall, participation styles accounted for 19.1% of the variance in social anxiety. Based on the findings, future directions and practical implications are suggested for both researchers and practitioners.

Specific associations of passively sensed smartphone data with future symptoms of avoidance, fear, and physiological distress in social anxiety

BackgroundPrior literature links passively sensed information about a person's location, movement, and communication with social anxiety. These findings hold promise for identifying novel treatment targets, informing clinical care, and personalizing digital mental health interventions. However, social anxiety symptoms are heterogeneous; to identify more precise targets and tailor treatments, there is a need for personal sensing studies aimed at understanding differential predictors of the distinct subdomains of social anxiety. Our objective was to conduct a large-scale smartphone-based sensing study of fear, avoidance, and physiological symptoms in the context of trait social anxiety over time. MethodsParticipants (n = 1013; 74.6 % female; M age = 40.9) downloaded the LifeSense app, which collected continuous passive data (e.g., GPS, communication, app and device use) over 16 weeks. We tested a series of multilevel linear regression models to understand within- and between-person associations of 2-week windows of passively sensed smartphone data with fear, avoidance, and physiological distress on the self-reported Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). A shifting sensor lag was applied to examine how smartphone features related to SPIN subdomains 2 weeks in the future (distal prediction), 1 week in the future (medial prediction), and 0 weeks in the future (proximal prediction). ResultsA decrease in time visiting novel places was a strong between-person predictor of social avoidance over time (distal β = −0.886, p = .002; medial β = −0.647, p = .029; proximal β = −0.818, p = .007). Reductions in call- and text-based communications were associated with social avoidance at both the between- (distal β = −0.882, p = .002; medial β = −0.932, p = .001; proximal β = −0.918, p = .001) and within- (distal β = −0.191, p = .046; medial β = −0.213, p = .028) person levels, as well as between-person fear of social situations (distal β = −0.860, p < .001; medial β = −0.892, p < .001; proximal β = −0.886, p < .001) over time. There were fewer significant associations of sensed data with physiological distress. Across the three subscales, smartphone data explained 9–12 % of the variance in social anxiety. ConclusionFindings have implications for understanding how social anxiety manifests in daily life, and for personalizing treatments. For example, a signal that someone is likely to begin avoiding social situations may suggest a need for alternative types of exposure-based interventions compared to a signal that someone is likely to begin experiencing increased physiological distress. Our results suggest that as a prophylactic means of targeting social avoidance, it may be helpful to deploy interventions involving social exposures in response to decreases in time spent visiting novel places.

Exploring the Relationship between Insecure Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety in Undergraduate Students

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the correlation between Avoidant and Anxious Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety, contributing to a deeper understanding of these interconnected factors among undergraduate students.&#x0D; Methodology: Convenient Sampling was used to recruit 350 participants aged 18-26 from Forman Christian College (FCCU) in Lahore, Pakistan. The study administered the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (R-AAS) for close relationships and the Social Anxiety Scale (SAS). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS v.20, with Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, Simple Linear Regression, and Independent Sample t-Test applied.&#x0D; Findings: A statistically significant positive correlation was found between Anxious Attachment Style and Social Anxiety. Anxious Attachment Style was revealed to positively predict 19% variance in Social Anxiety with p value &lt;.001. A significant gender difference was found among Social Anxiety and Anxious Attachment Style, but none among Avoidant Attachment Style.&#x0D; Implications: Practical implications include tailored clinical interventions and support groups for holistic treatment. Recognizing attachment styles can improve intimate relationships. Gender differences in social anxiety suggest women may need gender-sensitive therapy to address social challenges in education and careers.

The Effect of Pre-service Teachers' Readiness for Online Learning on their Social Anxiety in E-Learning Environments

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of pre-service teachers' readiness for online learning on their social anxiety in e-learning environments. For this purpose, opinions of 409 students who continue their pedagogical formation education at a university in Turkey were taken, the answers of 369 students were included in the research, and the data of 341 students with standardized scores were analyzed. In the study, readiness for online learning was considered as the independent variable and social anxiety of the pre-service teachers in e-learning environments as the dependent variable, and the data of the dependent and independent variables were obtained from the Online Learning Readiness Scale and the Social Anxiety Scale for E-Learning Environments. In the findings section, correlation analysis was made between the online learning readiness and social anxiety variables in e-learning environments, and then simple linear regression modeling was applied to determine how much the online learning readiness variable had on social anxiety in e-learning environments. As a result of the correlation analysis, a moderate negative significant relationship was found between readiness for online learning and social anxiety in e-learning environments. In addition, with the regression analysis, it was revealed that as the readiness for online learning increased, social anxiety decreased in e-learning environments. As a result, various suggestions were made to other researchers in line with these findings.

"Can you see me?" Videoconferencing and eating disorder risk during COVID-19: Anxiety, impairment, and mediators.

The use of videoconferencing has increased during the pandemic, creating prolonged exposure to self-image. This research aimed to investigate whether eating disorder (ED) risk was associated with videoconferencing performance for work or study and to explore whether the use of safety behaviors and self-focused attention mediated the relationship between ED risk and perceived control over performance anxiety, impaired engagement, or avoidance of videoconferencing for work or study. In 2020, an online survey was distributed within Australia to those aged over 18 years via academic and social networks, measuring: use of videoconferencing for work/study, demographics, ED risk, safety behaviors for appearance concerns, self-focused attention, perceived control over performance anxiety, perceived engagement impairment, and avoidance of videoconferencing. A total of 640 participants (77.3% female, Mage =26.2 years) returned complete data and were included in analyses. 245 participants (38.7%) were considered at-risk for EDs (SCOFF > 2). Those at-risk reported significantly more safety behaviors, self-focused attention, impaired engagement, and avoidance, plus lower perceived control over performance anxiety than those not at-risk. Multiple mediation models found the effects of ED risk on control over performance anxiety, impaired engagement, and avoidance were partially mediated by safety behaviors and self-focused attention. Our cross-sectional findings suggest videoconferencing for work/study-related purposes is associated with performance anxiety, impaired engagement, and avoidance among individuals at-risk for EDs. Poorer videoconferencing outcomes appear more strongly related to social anxiety variables than ED status. Clinicians and educators may need to provide extra support for those using videoconferencing. Because videoconferencing often involves seeing your own image (via self-view) we wondered whether the appearance concerns experienced by those with eating disorders (EDs) might interfere with the ability to focus on or to contribute to work/study videoconferencing meetings. We found that although those with EDs experience more impairments in their videoconferencing engagement/contribution, these were linked just as strongly to social anxiety as they were to appearance concerns.

Influence of family function on social anxiety among Chinese nursing students: The mediating role of alexithymia.

This study aims to explore the relationship between family function, alexithymia and social anxiety among Chinese nursing students, especially to determine whether alexithymia acts as a mediator between family function and social anxiety among this social group. A cross-sectional study. From January to March 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 Chinese nursing students at a nursing school of a medical university in the Northeastern Region of China. The interaction anxiousness scale, APGAR family function scale and Tronto alexithymia scale were used for measurement of social anxiety, perceived family function and alexithymia respectively. The data were subjected to correlation analysis, multiple linear regression and structural equation modelling (SEM). Results indicated that social anxiety score was negatively correlated with perceived family function (r=-.232), but positively with alexithymia (r=.307). After controlling for demographic variables, family function and alexithymia could explain 14.5% of the total variance in social anxiety. The SEM results suggested that the effect of family function on social anxiety was partially mediated by alexithymia with a 36.9% mediating effect. This study reveals that alexithymia might partially mediate the impact of family function and social anxiety in Chinese nursing students. In this sense, improvement of alexithymia is expected to be an effective strategy to ameliorate the severity social anxiety in Chinese nursing students, especially for those with a dysfunctional family context.

Collectivistic ambivalence: A potential source of social anxiety for individuals with higher inferiority feelings

Due to the elevated exposure to individualistic cultural values through the use of social media, individuals living in collectivist cultures, particularly younger generations, are becoming increasingly ambivalent towards traditional values. This means that they may experience a phenomenon called collectivistic ambivalence, which can be described as the degree of internal conflict one experiences between her/his individual preferences and collectivistic values and norms. However, there is a lack of empirically-based measure of this phenomenon and, therefore, in Study 1, we first develop and validate a 10-item Collectivistic Ambivalence Scale (CAS) on a total of 856 college students. After this, in Study 2, conducted with an additional sample of 241 college students, we confirm that there is a significant positive correlation between collectivistic ambivalence and social anxiety, with inferiority feelings fully mediating this relationship. This suggests that collectivistic ambivalence is associated with a significant increase in social anxiety, as a result of its relationship with inferiority feelings. Moreover, inferiority feelings and collectivistic ambivalence significantly explain 31 % of the total variance in social anxiety.

Multiple Mediation of Self-Esteem, Perception of Social Self-efficacy, and Social Anxiety in the Relationship Between Peer Support and Autonomy in Adolescents

The aim of this study is in the relationship between peer support and autonomy in adolescents; The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of social self-efficacy perception, self-esteem and social anxiety variables in adolescents. The study group of the research consists of 462 high school students (237 women and 225 men). Of the students in the study group, 26% (120 people) were in the 9th grade, 28.6% (132 people) were in the 10th grade, 28.1% (130 people) were in the 11th grade and 16.5% ( 76 people) are studying in the 12th grade. Data collection tools used in the study; Adolescent Social Anxiety Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Short Form), Social Self-Efficacy Perception Scale, Peer Support Scale, Adolescent Autonomy Scale were used. The data were analyzed with Regression-based method and Bootstrap methods. According to the findings obtained from the study, it was observed that as peer support increases in adolescents, individuals' self-esteem and social self-efficacy perceptions increase, and as a result, their autonomy levels increase. In addition, it is seen that the increase in peer support in adolescents decreases the social anxiety of the individuals and thus the level of autonomy increases. In addition, it was found that the established model explained 41% of autonomy in adolescents.

The contribution of cognitive behavioural factors to social anxiety in Parkinson's disease.

Social anxiety is prevalent in idiopathic Parkinson's disease but why this is, is not yet well understood. Social cognitions, safety-seeking behaviours and internally focused attention are all known to predict social anxiety in the general population. These associated factors have not yet been explored in idiopathic Parkinson's disease, where disease severity and motor symptoms might also influence the experience of social anxiety. This study aimed to explore the relationship between cognitive behavioural factors and social anxiety in Parkinson's disease. Using a cross-sectional design, 124 people with Parkinson's disease completed self-report questionnaires including measures of Parkinson's disease severity, social anxiety, negative social cognitions, safety-seeking behaviours, internally focused attention, anxiety and depression. The final regression model accounted for 71.6% of variance in social anxiety. Cognitive behavioural variables accounted for the largest magnitude of unique variance (43.5%). Sex, anxiety and depression accounted for 23.4%, and Parkinson non-motor symptom severity for 4.7%. Negative social cognitions and safety-seeking behaviours were statistically significant predictors, while an internal focus of attention was not. Social anxiety in Parkinson's disease is associated with negative social cognitions and safety-seeking behaviours. Findings indicate the need for further research into cognitive behavioural approaches to social anxiety in Parkinson's disease.

The Role of Brain/Behavioral Systems and Emotional Processing in Predicting Social Anxiety of Students

Background: Social anxiety disorders are among disorders that decrease the academic performance of students and cause emotional and behavioral problems. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of brain/behavioral systems and emotional processing in predicting social anxiety of students. Methods: This research was descriptive and correlational. The research population included all 5th grade male students of Ardabil city during years 2016 to 2017, among which 123 students were selected by the multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data collection was done through brain/behavioral systems scale, emotional processing, and social anxiety questionnaire. For data analysis, the researchers used Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results: The results showed mean (and standard deviation) of BAS, BIS, and FFS for emotional processing and social anxiety among students under study was 77.26 (2.76), 79.78 (57), 82.93 (3.25), 114.21 (22.84), and 32.41 (14.22), respectively. Also, the results showed that there was a significant negative correlation between behavioral activation system (BAS) and students’ social anxiety (P < 0.001). Also, a significant positive relationship was found between behavioral inhibition system and fight-or-flight system with students social anxiety (P < 0.001). In addition, there was a negative correlation between social anxiety and emotional processing. Results of regression analysis showed that 46% of the variance in social anxiety of students was significantly explained by brain/behavioral systems and emotional processing variables. Conclusions: Based on these results, it could be said that the relationship between individual differences, emotional processes, and brain behavioral processes can be an important factor in dealing with anxiety.

Parenting practices and adolescent social anxiety: A direct or indirect relationship?

Background/ObjectivesAccording to existing evidence, parental educational practices and social anxiety are to some degree connected. However, the possibility that this relationship is an indirect one and is mediated by individual factors such as self-esteem or emotional regulation has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the relationship between maternal and paternal educational practices and social anxiety, and test both the direct and the indirect pathways. Method: The representative sample consisted of 2,060 Andalusian students (47.7% girls, Mage=14.34) who filled in various self-reports. Results: The structural equation models confirmed that a direct relationship, with a low effect size, exists between parental educational practices and social anxiety and that there is also an indirect relationship, mediated by negative self-esteem and emotional suppression (the emotional regulation strategy), which accounted here for 49.1% of the variance in social anxiety. Conclusions: Parental education practices seem to act as a family asset which either promotes or hinders the development of basic attitudes and competencies such as self-esteem or emotional regulation and, by doing this, either encourages or prevents the emergence of problems such as social anxiety.

Kecemasan Sosial dan Ketergantungan Media Sosial pada Mahasiswa

This study aims to examine the effect of social anxiety on social media dependence in university students. This research used the quantitative approach with a predictive correlation method. The instruments were social anxiety scale (92 items) refers to aspects of social anxiety from La Greca and Lopez, and the scale of dependence on social media (30 items) refers to Griffiths. The participants were 342 students of UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung selected by random sampling. The results show that social anxiety influence dependence on social media in university students. The influence of social anxiety variables to dependence on social media is about 7.2%. Most of the participants have social anxiety and social media dependence in the medium category.

SENSE OF PLACE AND SOCIAL ANXIETY RELATIONS OF NEW COMERS OF RADEN INTAN STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY, LAMPUNG

Migration is a form of migration that can be seen in several regions in Indonesia. Wandering not only occurs in finding work but also in students who will continue their education in college. Migrant students will experience situations that are different from life in their place of origin, for example differences in culture, language and communication. As social beings we cannot be separated from interaction, where in this interaction a special feeling will be formed that is received by humans produced from a place with various elements in it, including those who live in it, this special feeling is called the sense of place . In interacting not all individuals feel safe and comfortable, but there are also those who have feelings of anxiety, fear, or worry about the surrounding environment, ­­­­ anxiety or concern related to social situations is called social anxiety. This study uses quantitative research methods with the subject of 90 students from Tarbiyah and Teaching Faculty of Lampung State Islamic University as chosen by using the sample technique, namely purposive sampling. Data collection uses a questionnaire about the variable sense of place and social anxiety variables . Hypothesis testing in this study uses Product Moment correlation analysis . The conclusion of the study is that there is a relationship between the sense of place and social anxiety on students from the Tarbiyah Faculty of Education and Teacher Training at the State Islamic University Raden Intan Lampung.

Morningness-eveningness and emotion dysregulation incremental validity in predicting social anxiety dimensions.

This study investigates the usefulness of morningness–eveningness and emotion dysregulation for better understanding of social anxiety dimensions. Specifically, associations between morningness–eveningness and incremental validity of emotion dysregulation as a predictor of social anxiety were examined. Data were obtained from a sample of normal students (N=510). Results of regression analyses showed that morningness was a significant predictor of social anxiety variables. Dimensions of emotion dysregulation had multiple associations with facets from social anxiety. Emotion dysregulation was found to be a positive predictor of social anxiety. The results expand the understanding of social anxiety and indicate how the domains of morningness–eveningness and emotion regulation could explain social anxiety in a normal population.

Health related quality of life and mental health in children with SCI/D from Neiva, Colombia.

To date, no research has been published on the health related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health of children with spinal cord injury and disorders (SCI/D) in Latin America, although limited previous research in Western countries has demonstrated the debilitating and chronic nature of these conditions in children. The aim was to examine the connections between HRQOL and mental health in children with SCI/D from Neiva, Colombia. Thirty children (8- 17 years) were recruited from the Hospital Universatario Hernando Mocaleano Perdomo in Neiva, Colombia. Participants completed self-report measures administered verbally by trained research staff. A correlation matrix generally suggested that higher HRQOL was robustly associated with better mental health. A series of multiple regressions found that HRQOL explained 50.5% of the variance in children's depression, 31.5% of the variance in worry, and 41.9% of the variance in social anxiety. Within these regressions, emotional and social functioning were uniquely associated with depression, and emotional functioning was uniquely associated with social anxiety. This is the first published study to examine psychosocial outcomes in children with SCI/D in Latin America, and its findings suggest that future research and interventions for children with SCI/D in Colombia - and possibly in other regions of Latin America - would benefit from emphasizing emotional and social functioning.

The Effect of Assertion Training on Hope and Social Anxiety

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of assertive training on hope and social anxiety. The study based on its nature, goal and hypothesis was implemented in a semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test design and control group. The statistical population includes 2000 students of Golestan University. Totally 60 students were randomly selected and divided into two groups of experimental and control. The pre-test was done for both groups. Then the groups were randomly chosen and then the assertive training as the independent variable was implemented for the experimental group, while the control group received no training. The assertive training research's instrument was along with the use of Miller Hope Questionnaire (1998) and Jerabek Social Anxiety (1996). Data were analysed using SPSS-19 software. Regression test for investigating the variables relations and comparing the means of control and experimental groups in hope and social anxiety variables indicated that the assertive training has a meaningful impact on hope mean and the social anxiety as well.

Psychometric Properties of the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale: Convergent, Discriminant, and Factorial Validity

Fear and avoidance of gaze are two features thought to be associated with problematic social anxiety. Avoidance of eye contact has been linked with such undesirable traits as deceptiveness, insincerity, and lower self-esteem. The Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale (GARS) is a self-report measure designed to assess gaze anxiety and avoidance, but its psychometric properties have only been assessed in one preliminary study. We further investigated psychometric properties of the GARS by assessing convergent and factorial validity. We obtained a two-factor solution: gaze anxiety and avoidance across situations (1) in general (GARS-General) and (2) related to dominance communication (GARS-Dominance). The GARS-General factor related more strongly to social anxiety than the GARS-Dominance, and convergent validity of the factors was supported by expected relationships with personality and social anxiety variables. Our results indicate that the GARS subscales are psychometrically valid measures of gaze aversion, supporting their use in future study of the relationship between social anxiety and eye contact behavior.

The Effect of Assertion Training on Hope and Social Anxiety

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of assertive training on hope and social anxiety. The study, based on its nature, goal and hypothesis was implemented in a semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test design and control group. The statistical population includes 2000 students of Golestan University. 60 of the students were randomly chosen and divided into two groups of experimental and control. The pre-test was done for both the groups. Then the groups were randomly chosen and then the assertive training as the independent variable was implemented for experimental group while the control group received no training. The assertive training research's instrument was along with the use of Miller Hope Questionnaire (1998) and Jerabek Social Anxiety (1996). Data was analysed by SPSS-19 software. Regression test for investigating the variables relations and comparing the means of control and experimental group in hope and social anxiety variables indicated that the assertive training has a meaningful impact on hope mean and the social anxiety as well.

The Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale–Junior Form

This study assessed the psychometric characteristics and correlates of the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale–Junior Form (PSPS-JR). The PSPS-JR was designed for use with children and adolescents, but its psychometric properties and applications among early adolescents have not been investigated. The PSPS-JR has three subscales assessing the perfectionistic self-promotion (i.e., the need to appear perfect), the need to avoid displaying imperfections, and the need to avoid disclosing imperfections to others. A sample of 88 adolescents in Grades 7 and 8 completed the PSPS-JR, the Child–Adolescent Perfectionism Scale, the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale for Children, and a three-factor measure of social anxiety. Psychometric analyses indicated that two of the PSPS-JR subscales had acceptable levels of internal consistency, but the nondisclosure of imperfection subscale had relatively low internal consistency. Significant links were found between the PSPS-JR subscales and trait perfectionism and dysfunctional attitudes, thus attesting to the concurrent validity of this new measure. Finally, perfectionistic self-presentation was associated robustly with all three social anxiety factors and predicted unique variance in social anxiety, above and beyond trait perfectionism. The findings support the continued use of the PSPS-JR and the assessment of individual differences in perfectionistic self-presentation among early adolescents.