Open Access

ARTICLE

The Relationship between Self-Esteem and Social Phobia among College Students: The Mediating Effect of Fear of Negative Evaluation and the Moderating Effect of Perfectionism

Shuai Lv^1,2, Zhaojun Chen^2,3, Jian Mao⁴, Hui Wang^2,5,*, Peibo Wu², Yujuan Hai¹

1 School of Modern Logistics, Qingdao Harbor Vocational and Technical College, Qingdao, 266404, China
2 Institute of Education, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
3 Shandong Social Science Education Base, Yantai Nanshan University, Longkou, 265706, China
4 School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266555, China
5 Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, 363105, China

* Corresponding Author: Hui Wang. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2024, 26(6), 491-498. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2024.048917

Received 21 December 2023; Accepted 18 April 2024; Issue published 28 June 2024

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the relationship between college students’ self-esteem (SE) and their social phobia (SP), as well as the mediating role of fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and the moderating effect of perfectionism. Methods: A convenience sampling survey was carried out for 1020 college students from Shandong Province of China, utilizing measures of college students’ self-esteem, fear of negative evaluation, perfectionism, and social phobia. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS PROCESS macro. Results: (1) college students’ self-esteem significantly and negatively predicts their social phobia (β = −0.31, t = −10.10, p < 0.001); (2) fear of negative evaluation partially mediates the relation between self-esteem and social phobia among college students, with the mediating effect accounting for 48.97% of the total effect (TE); (3) the mediating role of fear of negative evaluation is moderated by perfectionism (β = 0.18, t = 7.75, p < 0.001), where higher levels of perfectionism strengthen the mediating effect of fear of negative evaluation. Conclusions: Perfectionism moderates the mediating effect that fear of negative evaluation plays, establishing a moderated mediating model.

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Keywords

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