The Mediating Role of Self-Criticism and Perfectionism in the Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety Among High School Students

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between insecure attachment styles (avoidant and anxious) and social anxiety, with the mediating role of self-criticism and perfectionism. This descriptive study employed a correlational path analysis design. The statistical population consisted of all high school students in Bojnurd city, Iran. A total of 288 participants were selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Participants completed a set of measures, including the Hazan and Shaver Attachment Style Questionnaire, the Self-Criticism Scale, the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Anxiety Inventory. The data were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software. Results indicated that the indirect effect of avoidant attachment style on social anxiety was mediated by perfectionism (β = 0.30). The indirect effect of anxious attachment style on social anxiety was mediated by self-criticism (β = 0.78) and perfectionism (β = 0.24). The findings of this study support the mediating role of self-criticism and perfectionism in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and social anxiety.