The mediating role of self-efficacy beliefs (general and social) on the relationship between negative self-statements and social anxiety

Self-efficacy beliefs and negative self-referent cognitions can have a significant role in the general performance of individuals and in particular their social position. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediation role of Self-efficacy beliefs on the relationship between negative self-statements and social anxiety. The Present study was a descriptive correlational design of a type path analysis. The society of this study consisted of all high school students of Gotvand Township in the academic year 2011-2012. In this study, 318 high schools students (196 girl and 122 boy; mean 16/26) were selected randomly by a multi-stage random cluster sampling. The results were interpreted using Pearson correlation and path analysis. The data were collected by using the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C), Self-Efficacy for Social Situations Scale (SESS), Negative Affectivity Self-Statement (NASSQ) and Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SASA). Results show that there is significant negative correlation between self-efficacy beliefs (general and social) and social anxiety. Negative self-statements had a significant positive correlation with social anxiety. It has been seen that there was a significant negative correlation between negative self-statements and self-efficacy beliefs (general and social). Path analysis indicated a good fitness for the model and results revealed that negative self-statements have a significant indirect effect on social anxiety by the mediation of self-efficacy beliefs (general and social). According to the findings, it can be said that self-referent cognitions influencbeleifs about general and special abilities and can also increase or decrease overall rates of social anxiety.