LINKING SHYNESS TO SOCIAL ANXIETY IN CHILDREN THROUGH THE CLARK AND WELLS COGNITIVE MODEL
Stephanos P. Vassilopoulos*, Andreas Brouzos**, Nicholas J. Moberly***, & Maria Spyropoulou*
Vol. 14 (2017), pp. 1-19

*University of Patras, Greece, **University of Ioannina, Greece ***University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

Abstract (Summary):

Abstract: Past research has shown that cognitive biases partially mediate the relation between shyness and social anxiety. In addition, it has been shown that the Clark and Wells (1995) cognitive model of social anxiety generalizes to youth. This study investigated the mediating role of the model in the link between shyness and social anxiety. Participants were 306 preadolescents, who completed measures of shyness, social anxiety, and cognitive variables implicated by the model (anticipatory processing, post-event processing, and social attitudes). The results confirmed that shyness, social anxiety and maladaptive cognitive processes were intercorrelated. Further, in a multiple mediator model, social attitudes, but not anticipatory or post-event processing, partially mediated the relation between shyness and social anxiety. Implications for school prevention interventions are briefly discussed.

Key words: Clark and Wells model, Cognitive bias, Preadolescence, Shyness, Social anxiety

Address: Stephanos P. Vassilopoulos, Department of Primary Education, University of Patras, Patras, 26 110, Greece. Tel.: +30-2610-969742. E-mail: stephanosv@upatras.gr