The Effect of Rejection Sensitivity on Social Anxiety in College Students : The Mediating Roles of Self-Compassion and Mindfulness

Objectives This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of self-compassion and mindfulness on the relationship between rejection sensitivity and social anxiety among college students. Methods An online self-report survey was administered to students enrolled in four-year universities across South Korea. The survey measured levels of rejection sensitivity, social anxiety, self-compassion, and mindfulness and 366 cases were used for analysis. Data were analyzed using R version 4.3.1. Results First, significant correlations were found among all variables. Second, the analysis confirmed the partial mediating effects of self-compassion and mindfulness on the relationship between rejection sensitivity and social anxiety. Additional testing of the indirect effect was also significant. Conclusions The findings underscore the necessity of developing intervention strategies in counseling and therapeutic contexts aimed at enhancing self-compassion and mindfulness to reduce both rejection sensitivity and social anxiety among college students.