The Relationship Between Emotional Expression, Bodily Awareness, and Social Problem-Solving Skills with Social Anxiety in Adolescents

Sharafi Marand, Hossein; Mohaddes, Nasrin

doi:10.22034/jmp.2026.602168.1190

The Relationship Between Emotional Expression, Bodily Awareness, and Social Problem-Solving Skills with Social Anxiety in Adolescents

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Hossein Sharafi Marand ¹

Nasrin Mohaddes ²

¹ M.A. in Educational Psychology, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar Branch, Shabestar, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar Branch, Shabestar, Iran

10.22034/jmp.2026.602168.1190

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional expression, bodily awareness, and social problem-solving skills with social anxiety among students.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive-correlational research design. The statistical population comprised all male high school students in Marand during the 2024-2025 academic year, from which 331 participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Adolescent Social Anxiety Scale (SAS-A), the Emotional Awareness Questionnaire (EAQ-30), and the Social Problem-Solving Inventory (SPSI). The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients via SPSS version 26 at a significance level of p < .05.
Results: The results indicated a significant negative correlation between emotional expression, bodily awareness, and constructive social problem-solving skills with social anxiety (p < .05). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between dysfunctional social problem-solving skills and social anxiety (p < .05).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that possessing the ability to appropriately express emotions, having higher levels of bodily awareness, and employing constructive social problem-solving strategies are associated with lower levels of social anxiety in students. In contrast, the use of dysfunctional problem-solving strategies increases the risk of social anxiety. Consequently, designing and implementing educational programs focused on emotional expression, enhancing bodily awareness, and strengthening social problem-solving skills in schools can be an effective step in preventing and reducing social anxiety among adolescents.

Keywords

Bodily Awareness

Emotional Expression

Social Anxiety

Social Problem-Solving

Subjects

Abnormal Psychology

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