Mediation of anxiety and loneliness in the association between life events and shyness

Objective To investigate the mediating role of anxiety and loneliness in the relationship between life events and shyness.Methods A total of 602 college students was investigated with the College Students' Shyness Scale,Adolescent SelfRating Life Events Checklist,State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and UCLA Loneliness Scale.Results Female students had lower level of shyness,self-blame and fear of rejection than male students(t were-2.667,-3.073,-2.752,P<0.01);not the only-child had higher level of shyness,self-blame and the fear of rejection than those only-child(t were-2.145,-2.432,-1.970,P<0.05).Shyness,life events,state anxiety,trait anxiety and loneliness were positively correlated with each other.State anxiety,trait anxiety and loneliness partially mediated the relationship between life events and shyness.Conclusion More life events a student experienced,the more likely he/she will have anxiety and loneliness,and higher level of shyness.