Özet:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between social anxiety and general self-efficacy in university students. In addition, it was also investigated whether cognitive flexibility, social anxiety and general self efficacy differ according to gender. The research was designed in the survey model using the quantitative research method. The sample of the study consisted of 499 undergraduate university students enrolled at different universities in Turkey in the academic year of 2021-2022. While 68.3% (n=341) of the participants were female, 31.6% (n=158) were male. The average age of the research group is 22.48. The data were collected using the Cognitive Flexibility Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine whether there was a significant relationship between the variables used in the study. T-test was used to determine whether social anxiety, cognitive flexibility and general self-efficacy differ in terms of gender. Regression-based bootstrapping method was used to determine the mediator role of cognitive flexibility in the effect of general self-efficacy on social anxiety. The social anxiety levels of the female participants were found to be higher than those of the male participants. According to the results of Pearson Correlation Analysis, it was determined that there is a negative and significant relationship between social anxiety and cognitive flexibility. In addition, according to the results of the Pearson Correlation Analysis, it was determined that there was a negative and significant relationship between social anxiety and general self-efficacy. The mediation analysis results demonstrated the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the effect of general self-efficacy on social anxiety. The results of this study and those of other studies in the relevant literature have suggested the effectiveness of cognitive flexibility and general self-efficacy on the development and progression of social anxiety. Thus, mental health experts working in this field may be recommended to focus on these variables while studying social anxiety. The results of the study were discussed and interpreted in light of the relevant literature.

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