Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine mediating effects of fear of negative evaluation and social self-efficacy on the relationship among public self-consciousness, perceived control, and social anxiety and verify the moderating effect of perceived control on the relationship between public self-consciousness and social anxiety. Data of 301 Korean adults aged 18-39 years were analyzed. Findings are summarized as follows. Both fear of negative evaluation and social self-efficacy had significant mediating effects on the relationship between public self-consciousness and social anxiety (emotional, behavioral, and physical). In addition, perceived control (emotion control, control of helplessness) had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between public self-consciousness and social anxiety. Specifically, at a lower level of emotional control, social anxiety (physical symptoms) increased at a higher rate from a lower public self-consciousness condition to a higher public self-consciousness condition. In addition, at a lower level of control of helplessness, emotional social anxiety (social fear) increased at a higher rate from a lower public self-consciousness condition to a higher public self-consciousness condition. These research results suggest that increasing a sense of control over social situations and internal emotions can alleviate social anxiety in both physical and emotional aspects.