Committee Chair

Howell, Ashley N.

Committee Member

Eschman, Bret; Shelton, Jill T.

Department

Dept. of Psychology

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Childhood maltreatment (CM) can impact the development of social anxiety (SA), influencing behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social outcomes. This study explored the relationship between CM severity and SA among young adults through real-time social interaction using Zoom. This approach combined objective behavioral and physiological data with self-report measures. Results showed a significant positive relationship between CM severity and trait SA. Higher CM levels were linked to increased state anxiety during anticipation and peak levels of a speech task. No significant correlations were found between CM severity and mean skin conductance levels (SCLs), indicating SCLs may not reflect emotional responses. Similarly, weak, non-significant correlations were observed between CM severity and heart rate during speech delivery. A significant positive association was found between maladaptive coping and trait SA. Contrary to expectations, participants allocated less attention to disapproving faces. No significant interaction was found between CM severity and emotional valence on attention allocation.

Acknowledgments

I would like to graciously thank my Thesis Chair, Dr. Ashley N. Howell, for her guidance and mentorship. She has always gone above and beyond her duties as a faculty member to support and encourage me through this journey. The completion of this thesis would not be possible without her positive presence and I am truly grateful to have such a supportive mentor. I am also indebted to my thesis committee members, Dr. Jill A. Shelton and Dr. Bret Eschman, for their valuable feedback, input, and encouragement throughout this process. Their expertise and guidance were integral to the completion of this project. You have cheered me on, providing heartfelt support and I am so appreciative of all you have done and extended to me. You all have made a lasting impact upon me and I hope I can demonstrate the same to others in my future career. I am sincerely grateful to Heather Eikel, Research Assistant, whose invaluable work and support were instrumental throughout this project. Her contributions to data collection were essential to the completion of this thesis. Additionally, I would like to thank Mattie Casseday and Cassie Almond for assisting with data analysis. To my friends and peers, I appreciate your commitment to me, and I will cherish our lasting friendships. Lastly, I send endless gratitude to my family who have been my top supporters throughout graduate school and through my continuing education. Your love and encouragement help me achieve my goals, and I am fortunate to have such a wonderful and compassionate support team in my life.

Degree

M. S.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science.

Date

8-2024

Subject

Child abuse; Psychic trauma in children; Social phobia

Keyword

childhood maltreatment; social anxiety; maladaptive coping; attention allocation

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

xii, 110 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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