The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity in Moderating the Relation between Fear of Negative Evaluation and Social Interaction Anxiety among University Students

Abstract

The present research investigates the relationship between fear of negative evaluation and social interaction anxiety among university students. The study emphasizes to evaluate the association between fear of negative evaluation and social interaction anxiety among university students, with a particular emphasis on the moderating impact of anxiety sensitivity. The study included both males and females aged 17 to 25 (N=300). Cross sectional study was conducted by using standardized scales which includes the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation (BFNE) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3) were utilized. The study hypothesized that anxiety sensitivity acts as a moderator between the relationship of fear of negative evaluation and social interaction anxiety among university students. Results showed that social interaction anxiety and fear of negative evaluation are positively correlated. Moderation analysis revealed that anxiety sensitivity had no effect on the relationship between fear of negative evaluation and social interaction anxiety. And that females have more fear of negative evaluation and hence higher social interaction anxiety as compared to men. These findings offer insight into the importance of addressing importance of mental health services in dealing with anxiety, teaching healthy coping strategies and developing interventions to help students.