Relationship between fear of positive evaluation and social anxiety in college students: Mediating effect on post-rumination moderated by self-compassion

Objectives It is known that college students' fear of evaluation contributes to social anxiety. This study seeks to examine whether post-rumination mediates the relationship between fear of evaluation and social anxiety. We also seek to verify whether self-compassion moderates this mediating effect. Methods An online survey was conducted with 314 college students nationwide to verify the moderated mediation effect. Results First, the mediating effect of post-rumination was significant in the relationship between fear of positive evaluation and social anxiety. Second, self-compassion moderated the relationship between post-mortem rumination and social anxiety. Third, the mediating effect of post-rumination on the relationship bet Conclusions In the counseling field, we suggest the need to implement interventions involving post-rumination or self-reflection for clients who complain of social anxiety due to fear of positive evaluation.