Pattern of prediction of social anxiety disorder in clinical population: the role of meta-beliefs (cognitive beliefs, negative meta-belief and mental control)

Social anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorders that should be of interest to researchers. This study investigates the role of meta-beliefs (cognitive beliefs, negative meta-belief and mental control) in prediction variance of social anxiety. This study was descriptive –correlation, that and statistical population consist of all clients suffering from social anxiety disorder in Kermanshah city in 2015. For selection of sample size using available sampling number 300 people were selected. The tools for collection of data were Social Anxiety Questionnaire of Connor et al (2000), Social Anxiety Meta Cognitive questionnaire of Mahmoodi et al (2015) and Structured Interview (SCID). For analysis of data using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that there was significant positive relationship among social anxiety and elements of cognitive ability, mental control and negative meta-beliefs (P<0.001). Results of regression showed that negative meta-belief and mental control could predict variance of social anxiety (R2=21%, P<0.001). While the component of cognitive ability was not able to predict social anxiety variation. With regard the role of meta-cognitive beliefs in continuity of social anxiety, it seems that changing these components can improve and reduce of social anxiety.