Decoding Cognitive Control and Cognitive Flexibility as Concomitants for Experiential Avoidance in Social Anxiety

Bibliographic Data

ID13675472
AuthorsTarana Jain (0000-0001-6786-5285, CHRIST (Deemed to be) University, Delhi NCR, corresponding author), Ridhima Shukla (0000-0001-7401-2272, CHRIST (Deemed to be) University, Delhi NCR), Neeraj Panwar (0000-0003-4164-3822, CHRIST (Deemed to be) University, Delhi NCR)
Year2024
Volume129
Issue3
Pages332941241268625-332941241268625
Publication date2024-08-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00332941241268625
PMID39091159
OpenAlexW4401274670
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited72

Background and objectives: Avoidance is regarded as a central hallmark of social anxiety. Experiential avoidance is perilous for social anxiety, specifically among university students (young adults). Additionally, cognitive control and cognitive flexibility are crucial components of executive functions for a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle. The current research is a modest attempt to understand how cognitive flexibility and cognitive control affect the emergence of experiential avoidance in social anxiety in young adults. Methods: Using an ex-post facto design, the Social Phobia Inventory was employed to screen university students with social anxiety based on which one hundred and ninety-five were identified. Thereafter, participants completed the standardized measures on experiential avoidance, cognitive control and cognitive flexibility. Results: A stepwise multiple regression analysis was computed wherein the cognitive control predicts an amount of 5% of variance towards experiential avoidance, whereas a 10% of additional variance has been contributed by cognitive flexibility. Interpretation and Conclusions: The statistical outcome indicated that cognitive control is positively associated with experiential avoidance which is a negative correlate to cognitive flexibility among university students. Both also emerged as significant predictors of experiential avoidance and add a cumulative variance of 15% towards the same. This conclusion supports the need for improved and efficient management techniques in counseling and clinical settings

Anxiety · Cognition · Cognitive flexibility · Cognitive psychology · Control (management · Developmental psychology · Experiential avoidance · Experiential learning · Flexibility (engineering · Psychiatry · Social anxiety · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Artificial Intelligence · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychology

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