The Relationship Between Negative and Positive Affectivity, Self-focused Attention and Attentional Control With Severity of Social Anxiety Symptoms

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of negative and positive affectivity, selffocused attention, and attentional control in social anxiety symptoms.  Methods: A sample of 382 students of Isfahan University was selected and the participants completed Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Attentional Control Scale (ACS), and Focus of Attention Questionnaire (FAQ). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlatiosn and multiple regression analysis. Statistical analysis were performed using the SPSS 20.  Results: The results indicated that there were positive significant relationships between negative affectivity, self-focused attention and social anxiety symptoms. Also findings showed negative and significant relationships between positive affectivity, attentional control and social anxiety symptoms. In regression analysis, negative and positive affectivity, self-focused attention, and attentional control were predictors of social anxiety symptoms.  Conclusion: In this study, our findings suggested that negative and positive affectivity, self-focused attention, and attentional control have important role in the development and maintenance of social anxiety symptoms.