Stress and vigilance toward social approval versus disapproval: assessing the interactions between childhood maltreatment severity and coping styles among highly socially anxious young adults

Childhood maltreatment (CM) can impact the development of social anxiety (SA), influencing behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social outcomes. This study explored the relationship between CM severity and SA among young adults through real-time social interaction using Zoom. This approach combined objective behavioral and physiological data with self-report measures. Results showed a significant positive relationship between CM severity and trait SA. Higher CM levels were linked to increased state anxiety during anticipation and peak levels of a speech task. No significant correlations were found between CM severity and mean skin conductance levels (SCLs), indicating SCLs may not reflect emotional responses. Similarly, weak, non-significant correlations were observed between CM severity and heart rate during speech delivery. A significant positive association was found between maladaptive coping and trait SA. Contrary to expectations, participants allocated less attention to disapproving faces. No significant interaction was found between CM severity and emotional valence on attention allocation.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Randolph, Griffin Akira Thomas

Contributors dc:contributor

• Howell, Ashley N.
• Eschman, Bret; Shelton, Jill T.
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Child abuse
• Psychic trauma in children
• Social phobia

Licence

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/958

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-2139