Relationship between Internalized Shame, Safety Behaviors and Cognitive Avoidance Strategies with Multidimensional Social Anxiety in Students of Medical Science

the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Internalized Shame, Safety Behaviors and Cognitive Avoidance Strategies with Multidimensional Social Anxiety in students of medical science faculty. By a correlational design among statistical population including all students of Abadan medical science faculty, a total sample of 285 students (176 female and 109 male) were selected by available sampling method, and asked to complete 4 instruments of 1- Internalized Shame scale, 2- Subtle Avoidance and Safety Behaviors Inventory,3- Cognitive Avoidance Coping Style scale and 4- Multidimensional Assessment of Social Anxiety Inventory. Data was analyzed by a Canonical Correlation method. The final results showed significant  canonical correlation betweenshame, safety behaviors and cognitive avoidance strategies with social anxiety. About 84 percent of variance components of social anxiety dimensions was explained by predictor variables. It was concluded that internalized shame, safety behaviors and cognitive avoidance strategies are associated to social anxiety dimensions. Relavant interventions on shame, safety behaviors and cognitive avoidance strategies in students of medical science is recommended.