Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions and Mind Reading Ability in Social Anxiety Disorder: A Multi-Group Mediation Analysis in Clinical and Non-Clinical Samples

Authors : Burcu Büge

Pages : 119-131

Doi:10.31461/ybpd.1819714

View : 102 | Download : 193

Publication Date : 2025-12-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is associated with interpersonal cognitive distortions (ICD); however, little is known about whether mind reading ability plays a mediating role in this relationship. This study examined the associations among ICD, mind reading ability, and social anxiety; compared individuals with SAD and a non-clinical comparison group; and tested whether mind reading ability mediated the ICD-social anxiety link across groups. A total of 186 adults (72 diagnosed with SAD and 114 non-clinical adults) completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale, and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. Individuals with SAD reported higher levels of social anxiety and ICD, and lower mind reading ability, compared with the non-clinical group. Mediation analyses conducted separately by group indicated that mind reading ability partially mediated the relationship between ICD and social anxiety in both groups; however, the indirect effect was substantially stronger among individuals with SAD. These findings highlight mind reading ability as a more central mechanism linking maladaptive interpersonal thinking to heightened social anxiety in clinical populations. Interventions targeting both interpersonal cognitive distortions and deficits in theory of mind may therefore contribute to more effective treatment outcomes and improved social functioning in individuals with SAD.
Keywords : Sosyal anksiyete bozukluğu, Kişilerarası bilişsel çarpıtmalar, Zihin okuma

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