The Mediating Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation in the Relationship between Experiential Avoidance and Social Anxiety Symptoms in College Students: A Descriptive Study

Social anxiety is seen as one of the most prominent psychological symptoms in students. The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation in the relationship between social anxiety symptoms and experiential avoidance in college students.

In this descriptive research, 253 students of Mohaghegh Ardabili University were selected and studied in the academic year 2022-2023 by cluster random sampling method. To collect data, the Social Anxiety Questionnaire of Conor et al., the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – version 2, and the short form of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were used. The obtained data were analyzed using the statistical methods of structural equations modeling and Pearson’s correlation.

According to the findings, experiential avoidance (β=0.31, p<0.001), cognitive regulation of positive emotion (β=0.29, p<0.001), and cognitive regulation of negative emotion (β=0.37, p<0.001) had a direct effect on social anxiety. Also, experiential avoidance through cognitive regulation of negative emotion (β=0.130, p<0.001) and cognitive regulation of positive emotion (β=0.122, p<0.001) had an indirect effect on social anxiety

The results showed that experiential avoidance plays a role in creating and maintaining social anxiety directly and indirectly through the mediation of cognitive emotion regulation. Interventions to reduce experiential avoidance and emotional management in students are recommended.