The role behavioral activation/inhibition system, cognitive emotion regulation strategies and temperament and character predicting symptoms of social anxiety in high school students

This study aims to predict social anxiety in high students through the variables of behavioral activation/inhibition system, cognitive emotion regulation strategies and the temperament and character. The research method was descriptive and correlational. All male and female high school students studying in Bostan Abad county in academic year 2015-2016 comprised the population of this study among whom 120 participants (60 boys and 60 girls) were selected by cluster sampling. The data were collected through behavioral activation/inhibition systems, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, temperament and character and social anxiety questionnaires. It was analyzed using correlation and regression analysis. The findings revealed a relationship between BIS, cognitive emotion regulation strategies and two temperaments (harm avoidance and innovation) and one of the character dimensions (leadership), and a significant relationship with social anxiety symptoms. The high sensitivity of BIS system and the difficulty of cognitive strategies as well as novelty seeking, harm avoidance and self-direction were involved in the development and maintenance of social anxiety. By examining these variables, the target disorder can be prevented.