Presenting a causal model of social anxiety disorder based on primary maladaptive schemas and childhood traumas with the mediating role of emotional coping strategy

The aim of the current research was to formulate the etiological model of social anxiety disorder based on the components of early maladaptive schemas and childhood traumas with the mediating role of emotional coping strategy. The research design was correlational and structural equations. The statistical population of the research included all students of the Islamic Azad University of Olom-Tahghighat in the academic year of 2021-2022 in Tehran province. A total of 306 people who scored above 40 in Connor's social anxiety test were selected as a sample. To collect data, Young Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire (1991), Mohammad Khani's Traumatic Experience Q5uestionnaire (2003), Andler and Parker's Multidimensional assessment of coping (1990), and Connor's Social Anxiety Questionnaire (2000) were used. Then, the obtained data were entered into the structural equation hypothesis model. In order to analyze the obtained data, SPSS19 and AMOS24 were used. The results of the model analysis showed that the hypothetical research model has a good fit with the data. Predictor variables of early maladaptive schemas and childhood traumas with the mediation of emotional coping strategy had a significant effect on social anxiety disorder (p<0/01). In addition, emotional coping strategies had a direct effect on social anxiety disorder (p<0/01). The results of the research indicate that early maladaptive schemas and childhood traumas can be strong predictors of social anxiety disorder. The results also indicate that emotional coping strategies as mediating variables are part of the influencing process in the form of symptoms of social anxiety disorder. It is recommended to hold educational workshops in the field of maladaptive schemas, coping strategies for childhood traumas, and therapeutic interventions.