The relationship between stress and social anxiety in high social anxiety freshmen: a moderating mediation model

Abstract

Background High social anxiety ( HSA ) freshmen often more experience stress, intolerance of uncertainty and school maladaptation than no HSA freshmen. Nevertheless the association between these factors on social anxiety are unclear. The current study aims to clarify the relationship between these factors on social anxiety in HSA freshmen. Methods 1708 freshmen complete PSS ( Perceived Stress Scale ), LSAS ( Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale ), IU ( The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale ), and school maladaptation questionnaires in 2022 and 13.52% of them were identified as HSA freshmen. Results Chi-square ( χ2 ) test results show that there is no significant difference in gender between HSA freshmen and no HSA freshmen( p = 0.09). The PSS, IU, school maladaptation and LSAS of HSA freshmen are significantly higher than that in no HSA freshmen ( PSS: t = 12.29, p < 0.01; IU: t = 15.21, p < 0.01; school maladaptation: t = 15.64, p < 0.01; LSAS: t = 46.61, p < 0.01 ). The PSS do not directly predict the LSAS ( β = 0.20, p = 0.38 ), but IU plays a mediating role in the pathway between the PSS and LSAS in HSA freshmen ( indirect mediating effect/total mediating effect = 64.00% ). School maladaptation plays a moderating effect in the pathway between PSS and IU in HSA freshmen, school maladaptation strengthening the positive relationship between PSS and IU ( school maladaptation × PSS: β = 0.07, se = 0.03, t = 2.22, R2 = 0.02, F = 4.92, p = 0.03 ). Conclusion This study indicate that the stress has an effect on social anxiety, and IU and school maladaptation have an impact on the pathways between stress and social anxiety in HSA freshmen. The interventions to deal with social anxiety may consider the intolerance of uncertainty and school maladaptation of HSA freshmen.