The combined role of metacognition and mindfulness in social anxiety symptoms: A path model

Abstract

Although social anxiety disorder (SAD) is widespread and associated with significant distress, its etiology is not yet fully explored. We aimed to examine how metacognitions and mindfulness interact with SAD symptoms. 531 college students were enrolled in this study. Participants completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), the Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), and the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). A path analysis was run to explore the associations between test variables. A positive correlation was found between metacognition and SAD symptoms, while mindfulness negatively correlated with SAD symptoms and metacognition. In the established path model, metacognition had an indirect effect on SAD symptoms, which is partially mediated by mindfulness. Our findings imply that metacognitions and mindfulness may influence SAD symptoms among young adults. Mindfulness seems to have a prominent role in regulating metacognition's effects on SAD symptoms. Therefore, interventions that accurately target these factors may alleviate the symptoms of this debilitating psychological disturbance.

Keywords

• anxiety disorder
• metacognition
• metacognitive beliefs
• mindfulness
• social anxiety