The Moderated Mediating Effect of Entrapment through Internalized Shame in the Relationship between Evaluative Concerns Perfectionism and Social Anxiety

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the moderated mediating effect of entrapment through internalized shame on the relationship between evaluative concerns perfectionism and social anxiety. Methods To this end, 400 early adult participated in this study by completing the following questionnaires: Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Social Anxiety Scale, Internalized Shame Scale, Entrapment Scale. Data analysis was conducted through SPSS 24.0 and SPSS Macro version 4.1. Results The results of this study were as follows: First the relationship between all variables was statistically significant. Second, internalized shame was partially mediated between evaluative concerns perfectionism and social anxiety. Third, the entrapment was moderated between internalized shame and social anxiety. Fourth, the moderated mediating effect of entrapment on the relationship between evaluative concerns perfectionism, internalized shame, social anxiety was found.. Lastly, clinical implications and limitations of this study were discussed. Conclusions The results of this study provided implications for the understanding of social anxiety and treatment strategies, by confirming the role of Internalized Shame and Entrapment in the influence of early adults' Evaluative Concerns Perfectionism on Social Anxiety.