The serial multiple mediating effects of experiential avoidance and safety behaviors on the relationship between fear of negative evaluation on social anxiety in early adults

This study aimed to investigate the serial multiple mediating role of experiential avoidance and safety behaviors in the relationship between fear of negative evaluation and social anxiety among early adults. It also analyzes structural connections between core variables. This research aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the fear of negative evaluation that induces social anxiety and its development and persistence. This study employed an online survey methodology. A total of 426 individuals participated, of whom 313 were included in the final analyses. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the structural relationships among the variables. The findings indicated separate partial mediation effects through experiential avoidance and safety behaviors in linking fear of negative evaluation with social anxiety. A sequential mediation pathway emerged in which fear of negative evaluation initially heightened experiential avoidance, and subsequently intensified anxiety symptoms via increased safety behaviors. This pattern suggests a cyclical reinforcement mechanism in cognitive avoidance strategies that promote maladaptive behavioral responses. By clarifying the dual mediating roles of experiential avoidance and safety behaviors, this study enhances the comprehension of social anxiety etiology. The theoretical implications suggest that therapeutic approaches that address both cognitive avoidance patterns and behavioral safety strategies may significantly alleviate social anxiety symptoms. Subsequent investigations should implement longitudinal designs and controlled experimental paradigms to establish temporal precedence and causal interactions among study variables.