THE ROLE OF IRRATIONAL THOUGHTS IN PREDICTING SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT



BACKGROUND

Irrational thoughts, as defined by Albert Ellis (1994), are illogical or unrealistic beliefs held by individuals about themselves, others, or the world, leading to negative emotions and behaviors, and characterized by being absolute, extreme, or inflexible. Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is among the most prevalent anxiety disorders, significantly impairing academic and social engagement among university students. It is characterized by intense fear or anxiety in social situations where individuals may be subject to evaluation by others (DSM-5-TR, 2022).

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study addresses the predictive relationship between irrational thoughts and social anxiety disorder among university students, with a particular focus on identifying the specific patterns of irrational thinking that most strongly predict the severity of social anxiety symptoms. The importance of this research stems from the scarcity of Arabic studies examining this relationship in university settings, highlighting the need for effective psychological interventions.

METHOD

A descriptive, correlational, and predictive research design was employed. a psychometric sample for competence verification to ensure the reliability of the assessment tools, of 140 students was used to verify the validity and reliability of the instruments, followed by a main sample of 420 students (57% female, 43% male; M = 20.3 years, SD = 1.8) randomly selected from all academic years at the Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University. Data was collected using two researcher- prepared scales: the Irrational Thoughts Scale (42 items across 7 dimensions) and the Social Anxiety Disorder Scale (36 items across 6 dimensions), both constructed in accordance with DSM-5-TR (2022) criteria.

RESULTS

The results indicated a statistically significant positive correlation between the total score of irrational thoughts and the severity of social anxiety symptoms (r = .67, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed that irrational thoughts accounted for 45% of the variance in social anxiety symptoms (R² = .45). Catastrophic thinking, overgeneralization, negative self-perception, low frustration tolerance, ideal performance expectations, and blaming others or external circumstances emerged as the most significant predictors of heightened social anxiety symptoms.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The study recommends implementing cognitive and behavioral intervention programs targeting irrational thinking patterns, such as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and social skills training, to reduce social anxiety disorder among university students. The findings are limited to students of the Faculty of Education at Ain Shams University, and caution is advised when generalizing the results to other student populations.

Keywords: Irrational Thoughts, Social Anxiety Disorder, University Students