Author: Warisha Zaffar
Supervisor: Tehreem Arshad
Degree: BS
Year: 2013-2017
University: Centre for Clinical Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the relationship between
Social Comparison, Paranoid Social Cognitions and Submissive
Behaviors in patients with Social Anxiety Disorder. Moreover,
the predictive relationship of social comparison and paranoid
social cognitions was also assessed. Correlational research design
was employed in present study. One hundred female patients
diagnosed with social anxiety (Mean age = 25.21 years, SD=
10.41) were recruited from different government and private
teaching hospitals of Lahore through Purposive Sampling. Social
Comparison Scale (Allan & Gilbert, 1995), Paranoia Scale
(Fenigstein & Vanable, 1992) and Submissive Behavior Scale
(Gilbert & Allan. 1994) were used to assess study variables. The
findings of the study revealed significant correlations between
scales of social comparison, paranoid social cognitions and
submissive behaviors. All the three subscales of social
comparison, rank, group fit and attractiveness had significant
negative correlations with paranoid social cognitions and
submissive behaviors. There was significant positive correlation
found between paranoid social cognitions and submissive
behaviors. Furthermore among all the three subscales of social
comparison, rank subscale turned out to be significant negative
and paranoid social cognitions as significant positive predictor for
submissive behaviors in patient with social anxiety disorder.
Additionally it was found that paranoid social cognitions mediate
the relationship between social comparison and submissive
behaviors in socially anxious individuals. The results of the
present study have implications for mental health professionals as
it will help them to better understand the etiological factors of
social anxiety and to devise more effective management plans in
treating these patients.
Keywords: Anxiety disorder, Social Comparison, Cognitions, Submissive Behaviors.
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