Presenting a Structural Model of Social Anxiety Based on Early Maladaptive Schemas Mediated by Family Functioning

This aim of this study was to present a structural model of social anxiety based on early maladaptive schemas mediated by family functioning among senior high school students in Marivan. The study had an explorative-descriptive design. The population of the study was comprised of all high school students in Marivan (4134 students) from among whom 400 cases (200 male and 200 female students) were selected and studied. To select the sample, the researcher gave Connor’s Social Phobia Index (SPI) to the students suspected of social anxiety disorder (diagnosed by schools’ consultants whose symptoms were consistent with those specified by DSM-V). The students suffering from SAD were identified and the sample was drawn based on simple random sampling method. The subjects completed Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form and the McMaster Family Assessment Device.  Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Data analysis demonstrated that early maladaptive schemas can directly affect social anxiety (0.51). In addition, early maladaptive schemas can indirectly affect social anxiety (-0.32) and family functioning mediates this association. The structural model fitted well with the research data and early maladaptive schemas could predict 0.63% of the changes in social anxiety. Identifying the direct role of early maladaptive schemas in increasing social anxiety with the indirect, mediating role of family functioning can prove helpful in preventing students' social anxiety disorder.