What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to examine how negative life events relate to social anxiety among adolescents, focusing on mediation through fear of negative evaluation and body shame.

May 13, 2026Open Access

The Relationship between subjectively perceived life events and social anxiety among adolescents in Southwest China: the chain mediating effects of fear of negative evaluation and body shame

XXXianghan XiaoSouthwest University LHLinghui HeSouthwest University QXQingxiu XieSouthwest University

Key Points

The aim is to examine how negative life events relate to social anxiety among adolescents, focusing on mediation through fear of negative evaluation and body shame.
Random sampling of 900 adolescents aged 13-17 years from urban and rural schools in Southwest China.
Self-report questionnaires assessed demographic data, negative life events, fear of negative evaluation, body shame, and social anxiety.
Data analyzed using IBM SPSS 27.0 and PROCESS macro version 4.1.
Significant correlations found: negative life events with fear of negative evaluation (r = 0.558, p < 0.01), body shame (r = 0.600, p < 0.01), and social anxiety (r = 0.492, p < 0.01).
Fear of negative evaluation positively correlated with body shame (r = 0.725, p < 0.01) and social anxiety (r = 0.584, p < 0.01).
Body shame correlated with social anxiety (r = 0.634, p < 0.01), with negative life events predicting social anxiety (β = 0.123, 95% CI [0.4141, 0.5391]).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescent negative life events significantly influence social anxiety development. Enhancing accurate self-perception and emotion regulation skills is critical for mitigating such mental health risks. PURPOSE: To investigate relationships among adolescent negative life events, social anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and body shame, focusing on their serial mediation effects. METHODS: ‌ This study was conducted from November to December 2024. A random sampling method was employed to recruit 900 adolescents aged 13-17 years (M = 14.57 ± 1.18) from urban and rural schools in Southwest China. Self-report questionnaires were administered to assess demographic characteristics, negative life events, fear of negative evaluation, body shame, and social anxiety. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 27.0 and the PROCESS macro (Version 4.1). RESULTS: ‌ Adolescent negative life events showed significant positive correlations with fear of negative evaluation (r = 0.558, p < 0.01), body shame (r = 0.600, p < 0.01), and social anxiety (r = 0.492, p < 0.01). Fear of negative evaluation was positively correlated with body shame (r = 0.725, p < 0.01) and social anxiety (r = 0.584, p < 0.01). Body shame also demonstrated a positive correlation with social anxiety (r = 0.634, p < 0.01). Furthermore, adolescent negative life events directly predicted social anxiety (β = 0.123, 95% CI 0.4141, 0.5391) and exerted indirect effects through three pathways: (a) fear of negative evaluation (effect size = 0.118, 95% CI 0.0695, 0.1687); (b) body shame (effect size = 0.112, 95% CI 0.0799, 0.1497); and (c) the serial mediation of fear of negative evaluation and body shame (effect size = 0.122, 95% CI 0.0930, 0.1556). CONCLUSION: ‌ Fear of negative evaluation and body shame act as serial mediators linking adolescent negative life events to social anxiety. Educators and caregivers should monitor the mental health impacts of negative life events, reduce negative evaluations to improve body confidence, and foster social engagement.

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