Social Anxiety from an Attachment Theory Perspective: The Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schema Domains and Rejection Sensitivity

Social anxiety is a common problem. Several factors play a role in the development and maintenance of social anxiety. Since relationship with parents is specifically an important factor, it is important to examine social anxiety from an attachment theory perspective. Studies indicate that early maladaptive schemas and rejection sensitivity may play a role in the relationship between attachment pattern and psychological distress. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine the mediating role of early maladaptive schema domains and rejection sensitivity in the relationship between internal working models of attachment and social anxiety. The sample of the study consisted of 557 university students (199 male, 358 female) between the ages of 17-27 (M = 20.69, SD = 1.79). Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Relationship Scales Questionnaire, Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3, and Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire were administered to the participants. Results of the mediation analysis with Bootstrapping showed that Impaired Autonomy schema domain and rejection sensitivity mediated the relationships between attachment self-model and social anxiety. Moreover, schema domains of Impaired Autonomy, Impaired Limits and Unrelenting Standards, and rejection sensitivity mediated the relationship between attachment other-model and social anxiety. The current study may contribute to the literature by providing an understanding of how the relationship between attachment and social anxiety may emerge. Clinicians aiming to increase clients’ functionality and quality of life should/could focus on their clinical practice on the above early maladaptive schema domains and rejection sensitivity.