Mediating Effects of Cognitive Factors on Relation Between Behavioral Inhibition and Social Anxiety

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the interactional relationship between behavioral inhibition and cognitive factors which lead to social anxiety. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 408 participants who were recruited using convenient sampling method. All participants completed four questionnaires namely Social Phobia Inventory, Behavioral Inhibition Scales, Focus Attention Questionnaire, and Consequences of Negative Social Events Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by path analysis using LISREL software. Results: There was a significant correlation of cognitive factors with each other (P 0.05). Behavioral inhibition and cognitive factors had a significant effect on upgrading social anxiety. This confirms the casual model that social anxiety is caused by behavioral inhibition along with mediation by cognitive factors. Conclusion: This study may serve as a tool for screening and predicting the occurrence of social anxiety in students. According to the mediating effect of cognitive factors on behavioral inhibition in rising social anxiety, this knowledge can be used for prevention and treatment of social anxiety.