Longitudinal Links Between Adolescent Social Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms: Testing the Mediational Effects of Cybervictimization

Abstract

This study focuses on the temporal sequence between social anxiety and depressive symptoms, and whether cybervictimization might mediate these links. We used a longitudinal sample of 501 early adolescents (51.9% girls; M age = 13.96) followed at three time points. Using a cross-lagged path model in MPlus, we found that social anxiety predicted depressive symptoms over time, but not the other way around. Time-1 depressive symptoms also predicted cybervictimization, but only for boys and not for girls. No mediating effects of cybervictimization emerged; however, Time-2 social anxiety was a significant mediator between Time-1 social anxiety and depressive symptoms, whereas Time-2 depressive symptoms significantly mediated the link between Time-1 social anxiety and Time-3 depressive symptoms. In sum, social anxiety was a strong predictor of depressive symptoms over time but not vice versa-irrespective of cybervictimization.

A Longitudinal Person‐Centered Examination of Affinity for Aloneness Among Children and Adolescents

“…Conceptually, this makes sense as SA has been shown to be negatively related to wellbeing (Siegel et al, 2009;van Zalk & van Zalk, 2019). As such, these findings emphasize the importance of taking SA into account when studying individuals who enjoy being alone.…”

“…However, our results indicate that social anxiety plays a large role in determining whether the implications of enjoying time spent alone are negative or not. Conceptually, this makes sense as social anxiety has been shown to be negatively related to well-being (Siegel et al, 2009;van Zalk & van Zalk, 2019). Thus, these findings emphasize the importance of taking social anxiety into account when studying individuals who enjoy being alone.…”

“…Without controlling for SA in these analyses, any AFA group could include individuals who spend time alone because they're socially anxious (perhaps because of peer victimization) and individuals who spend time alone for more positive reasons. As extensive research has demonstrated that SA is negatively associated with psychosocial functioning among youth (e.g., greater victimization by peers, greater depressive symptoms; Siegel, la Greca, & Harrison, 2009;van Zalk & van Zalk, 2019), associations found between AFA and negative adjustment in previous research could be because AFA groups included individuals with high social anxiety. Researchers who study the more restricted construct of preference for solitude have begun to control for social anxiety (e.g., Barstead et al, 2018;Coplan et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2015Liu et al, , 2017; however, this approach has not been used in studies of AFA.…”

“…However, without actually controlling for social anxiety in these analyses, any affinity for aloneness group could include individuals who spend time alone because they're socially anxious (perhaps because of peer victimization) and individuals who spend time alone for more positive reasons. As extensive research has demonstrated that social anxiety is negatively associated with psychosocial functioning among youth (e.g., greater victimization by peers, greater depressive symptoms; Siegel, la Greca, & Harrison, 2009;van Zalk & van Zalk, 2019), associations found between affinity for aloneness and negative functioning in previous research could be because affinity for aloneness groups included individuals with high social anxiety.…”

Niveles De Ansiedad Social en Adolescentes De Una Institución Educativa De Tembladera en Perú

“…Bajo ese contexto de percibirse torpes, rechazados, en condición de víctimas y excluidos por sus compañeros el adolescente opta por evitar las interacciones sociales, prefiriendo el aislamiento y la soledad, influyendo estas conductas en su baja autoestima y síntomas depresivos y falta de confianza en sí mismos (Van, N., & Van, M., 2018;Delgado, Inglés y García-Fernández, 2013).…”