The Study of Mediating Effects of Cognitive Factors on Links between Behavioral Inhibition and Social Anxiety

The aim of this study was to investigate the interactional relationship between behavioral inhibition and cognitive factors in the development of social anxiety symptoms. This study has been done in a cross-sectional comparative framework. A sample of 408 students who were selected by the arbitrary sampling method completed the following questionnaires: Social Phobia Inventory, Behavioral Inhibition Scales, Focus Attention Questionnaire, and Consequences of Negative Social Events Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Lisrel software and the path analysis method. Results showed a correlation between each pair of the variables (p < 0/05). Behavioral inhibition and cognitive factors had significant effects on developing social anxiety. Also, the causal model that behavioral inhibition, mediated by cognitive factors, creates social anxiety is confirmed. These results may be used as a tool for screening and predicting the social anxiety in students. According to the meditating effect of the cognitive factors between the behavioral inhibition and the social anxiety, we can use this knowledge for prevention and treatment of social anxiety.