The Relationship of the Meta-Cognitive Beliefs with Social Anxiety Symptoms (Avoidance, Fear and Physiological Arousal) in Non-Clinical Population

• Main Authors: *M. Hassanvand Amouzadeh, R. Roshan Chesly, M. Hassanvand Amouzadeh
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: University of Isfahan 2014-11-01
• Series: پژوهش‌های علوم شناختی و رفتاری
• Subjects: meta-cognitive beliefs; avoidance; fear
• Online Access: http://uijs.ui.ac.ir/cbs/browse.php?a_id=169&slc_lang=en&sid=1&ftxt=1
• ISSN: 2251-7642; 2345-3524

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of meta-cognitive beliefs with social anxiety symptoms in non-clinical population. The sample consisted of 300 (166 females and 134 males) Ilam University students who selected by cluster sampling method. The participants completed the Meta-Cognations Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). The results showed that meta-cognitive beliefs were positively correlated with social anxiety symptoms (P<0.05). Also, the results of regression analysis of MCQ-30 subscales showed that uncontrollability danger and cognitive self– consciousness are predictors of avoidance, negative beliefs about uncontrollability of thought and danger are predictors of fear, negative beliefs about uncontrollability of thought and danger and positive beliefs about worry and cognitive security are predictors of physiological arousal. These were the significant predictors of social anxiety symptoms (P≤0.05). Results of this study support the meta- cognitive Wells and Matthew's model of social anxiety and indicates that meta-cognitive beliefs have an important role in social anxiety symptoms. Therefore, the modification of meta- cognitive beliefs with regard to the importance of their role in avoidance, fear and physiological arousal, can be a preventative factor in intensification and continuity of social anxiety symptoms.