Self-Focused Attention

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the predictive relationships between social anxiety and the psychological constructs of rumination, self-focused attention, and social intimacy among women. Specifically, it sought to determine how these variables influence the levels of social anxiety in a female population. Method: A cross-sectional design was utilized, with a sample size of 350 female participants determined by Morgan and Krejcie's table. Standardized measurement tools were employed, including the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) for social anxiety, the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) for rumination, the Self-Focused Attention Scale (SFAS) for self-focused attention, and the Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS) for social intimacy. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression, conducted using SPSS version 27. Findings: Descriptive statistics showed mean scores of 45.23 (SD = 11.56) for social anxiety, 52.14 (SD = 12.75) for rumination, 30.56 (SD = 8.49) for self-focused attention, and 40.85 (SD = 9.22) for social intimacy. Pearson correlations revealed significant relationships between social anxiety and rumination (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), self-focused attention (r = 0.58, p < 0.001), and social intimacy (r = -0.49, p < 0.001). The regression model was highly significant (F = 320.77, p < 0.001), explaining 65% of the variance in social anxiety (R² = 0.65, R² adjusted = 0.64). Conclusion: The study confirmed that rumination and self-focused attention significantly predict social anxiety, with social intimacy showing a protective effect. These findings underscore the importance of addressing cognitive patterns and enhancing interpersonal relationships in interventions aimed at reducing social anxiety among women.

Objective : Hypertension is a common and chronic condition that increases the risk of heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and psychological issues. This study aimed to compare self-focused attention, emotional abuse, and psychological distress between individuals with hypertension and healthy controls. Method : This descriptive, causal-comparative study was conducted in Miandoab. The sample included two groups: individuals diagnosed with hypertension (selected via purposive sampling) and matched healthy individuals. Participants completed the Self-Focused Attention Questionnaire (Woody et al., 1997), the Emotional Abuse Questionnaire (Norouzi, 2012), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler, 2002). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results : Results indicated significant differences in mean levels of self-focused attention, emotional abuse, and psychological distress between individuals with hypertension and healthy individuals (P ≤ 0.05). Mean scores for these variables were higher in hypertensive individuals. Conclusion : These findings suggest that addressing and reducing these characteristics is significant in managing and treating hypertension.