Psychological Processes in the Social Interaction and Communication Anxiety of University Students: The Role of Self-Compassion and Psychological Flexibility

ABSTRACT

University students often experience difficulties in social interactions. The current study examinedthe role of self-compassion and psychological flexibility among university students (N= 76) reportinghigh levels of social interaction and communication anxiety. We observed that high social interaction(SIAS) and communication anxiety (PRCA-24) were associated with low levels of self-compassion andpsychological flexibility. Upon further investigating the specific predictors for social interaction andcommunication anxiety, we found that self-judgment, over-identification and openness to experienceswere the key components in self-compassion and psychological flexibility, respectively. However, afterexamining these components together, only self-judgment and over-identification remained crucialpredictors. This suggests that, when training students to manage their anxiety in social situations,attention should be given to promoting skills of self-compassion and psychological flexibility ingeneral. Special attention should be devoted to facilitating a non-critical, accepting and open attitudetowards one’s thoughts, emotions and negative interpretations (AU)