INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-FOCUSED ATTENTION AND SOCIAL ANXIETY MEDIATED BY RUMINATION

Social anxiety is a prevalent and distressing disorder whose key features include fear of evaluation and shame in performance and social situations. The present study was conducted aiming to investigate the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between self-focused attention and the severity of social anxiety disorder symptoms.

The design of this study was descriptive and the population included all students of Tabriz University in 2019, of whom 296 individuals were selected by convenience sampling. Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) by Connor and et al., (2000), Focus of Attention Questionnaire (FAQ) by Chambless, & Glass (1997), and Rumination Response Scale (RRS) by Nolen-Hoeksema, & Morrow (1991) were used as research tools. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (the mean and standard deviation), Pearson correlation coefficient test, and Structural Equations Modeling (SEM).

Self-focused attention and rumination showed direct and significant relationship with the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) showed that rumination can mediate the relationship between self-focused attention and symptoms of social anxiety disorder.

The results revealed that rumination can affect the relationship between self-focused attention and symptoms of social anxiety and increase their severity. Therefore, these findings can be used in intervention.