The Role of Shyness and Fear of Negative Evaluation in Predicting the Mental Health of Academic Staff: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to predict mental health based on shyness and fear of negative evaluation in academic staff. The research employed an applied methodology, utilizing quantitative and descriptive (correlational) methods for data collection. The study's temporal framework is cross-sectional. The statistical population comprises all educational staff at the Islamic Azad University, Ardabil branch, totaling 400 individuals employed in 2019. According to Morgan's table, the statistical sample includes 196 educational-administrative staff members, selected through stratified random sampling. For this research, we utilized three mental health questionnaires (depression, anxiety, and stress) by Lovibond and Lovibond, the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale by Watson and Friend, and the Shyness Scale by Cheek and Buss to explore the relationships between variables. Pearson's correlation test and multiple linear regression analysis were employed. The results indicated that the relationships between mental health and its components (depression, anxiety, and stress) are positive and significant, with shyness and anxiety accounting for 54% of the variance in mental health. Additionally, the study found that the effects of shyness and fear of negative evaluation on depression, anxiety, and stress were 41%, 43%, and 39%, respectively. Based on these findings, we conclude that shyness and fear of negative evaluation can predict mental health in academic staff.