The Mediating Role of Shame and Self-criticism in Social Anxiety: An Emotion-Focused Therapy Approach

Abstract

Background: Traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) models for social anxiety typically focus on distorted thoughts. In contrast, a newer emotion-focused approach emphasizes the importance of emotional schemes and the influence of shame and self-criticism in maintaining social anxiety. Objectives: This research aimed to fit a model based on the emotion-focused approach to social anxiety and to emphasize the role of negative memories of early life experiences in mediating shame and self-criticism. Methods: This descriptive correlational study utilized structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The population examined consisted of all students enrolled in public universities under the Tehran Ministry of Science during the academic year 2022 - 2023. The study included 420 students from Shahid Beheshti University, selected using convenience sampling. The research tools included Gilbert's Early Life Experiences Questionnaire, Young's Shame/Deficit Schema Scale, Gilbert's Self-criticism Forms, and Connor's Social Anxiety Scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 24 and SmartPLS version 3 software. Results: The model was significant, explaining 48% of the variance in social anxiety. The goodness-of-fit criteria further indicated the model's adequacy. The indirect pathway from early life experiences through shame and self-criticism to social anxiety was significant, with standardized estimates (β = 0.16, P < 0.001, 95% CI). Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the emotion-focused approach model for social anxiety has a good fit. Shame and self-criticism significantly mediate the relationship between early life experiences and social anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of addressing early life experiences and emotional factors such as shame and self-criticism in therapeutic interventions for social anxiety. Incorporating emotion-focused strategies may enhance treatment outcomes.