# The relationship between facial negative physical self and social anxiety in college students: the role of rumination and self-compassion

## TL;DR

This study explores how negative feelings about facial appearance contribute to social anxiety in college students, with rumination and self-compassion playing key roles.

## Contribution

The study identifies a mediation and moderation model linking facial negative physical self to social anxiety through rumination and self-compassion in a Chinese college population.

## Key findings

- Facial negative physical self significantly predicts social anxiety (B = 0.46, p < 0.01).
- Rumination mediates 48.1% of the effect of facial negative physical self on social anxiety.
- Self-compassion moderates the relationship between rumination and social anxiety (B = -0.06, p < 0.01).

## Abstract

To investigate the association between facial negative physical self, social anxiety, rumination, and self-compassion among college students in western China.

A questionnaire was used to conduct an online survey of 1, 178 students from a university in western China through convenience sampling using the Self-Compassion Scale, the Ruminative Response Scale, the Negative Physical Self Scale-facial appearance sub-scale and the Interaction Anxiousness Scale.

In the mediation model, the total predictive effect of facial negative physical self on social anxiety was significant (B = 0.46, t = 17.66, p < 0.01), and the mediating effect of facial negative physical self on social anxiety accounted for 48. 1% of the total effect; self-compassion moderated the effect of rumination on social anxiety (B = –0.06, t = 3.00, p < 0.01).

Facial negative physical self affects the level of social anxiety of college students through rumination, and self-compassion regulates the effect of rumination on social anxiety. Students should be encouraged to increase their level of self-compassion or be provided with self-compassion intervention training, which can help reduce social anxiety.