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TB 2025, 24(2): 15-30 |
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Rostami Janaghard R, Pour Saeid V, Saeedi Moghadam F, Bagheri Sheykhangafshe F, Farahani H. Comparison of Moral Intelligence, Depression, and Attachment Styles in Adolescents with and without Social Anxiety Disorder. TB 2025; 24 (2) :15-30
URL: http://tbj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-3765-en.html
URL: http://tbj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-3765-en.html
Robabeh Rostami Janaghard 
, Vahid Pour Saeid , Faranak Saeedi Moghadam , Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe * , Hojjatollah Farahani
, Vahid Pour Saeid , Faranak Saeedi Moghadam , Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe * , Hojjatollah Farahani
Ph.D. in Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran , farzinbagheri@modares.ac.ir
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Comparison of Moral Intelligence, Depression, and Attachment Styles in Adolescents with and without Social Anxiety Disorder
Robabeh Rostami Janaghard(M.A)1, Vahid Pour Saeid(M.A)2, Faranak Saeedi Moghadam(M.A)3, Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe(Ph.D.)4, Hojjatollah Farahani(Ph.D.)5
1.Masters of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran
2.Masters of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran
3.Masters of General Psychology, Payame Noor University, Zarrinshahr Branch, Zarrinshahr, Iran
4.Corresponding Aouther: Ph.D in Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Email: farzinbagheri@modares.ac.ir Tel: 09114969488
5.Associate Professor Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Psychological disorders during adolescence can significantly affect emotional, social, and academic development. One of the most common of these disorders is Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), which may lead to difficulties in interpersonal relationships and a reduced quality of life in adolescents. The present study aimed to compare moral intelligence, depression, and attachment styles between adolescents with and without SAD.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive causal-comparative design. The statistical population comprised high school students from districts 2 and 6 of Tehran Province during the 2024 academic year. A convenience sample of 240 adolescents (120 diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and 120 without the disorder) was selected based on their scores on the Social Anxiety Inventory; participants scoring one standard deviation above the mean (score ≥ 33) were classified as having social anxiety disorder, while those with lower scores were categorized as non-anxious. Participants completed the Social Anxiety Inventory, Moral Intelligence Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Adult Attachment Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using MANOVA and ANOVA via SPSS version 27.
Results: Adolescents with SAD exhibited lower levels of moral intelligence and secure attachment, as well as higher levels of depression, avoidant attachment and ambivalent attachment compared to their non-SAD peers That this difference was significant(P<0/001).
Conclusion: Adolescents with social anxiety disorder have lower moral intelligence and weaker secure attachment and suffer more from depression and maladaptive attachment styles (avoidant and ambivalent). These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions to strengthen emotional-social skills and reduce depressive symptoms in this group and emphasize the critical role of families and schools in promoting adolescent mental health.
Keywords: Social Anxiety Disorder, Moral Intelligence, Depression, Attachment Styles
Conflict of interest: The authors declared no conflict of interest.
References
1-Alves F, Figueiredo DV, Vagos P. The prevalence of adolescent social fears and social anxiety disorder in school contexts. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2022;19(19):12458.
2-Chiu K, Clark DM, Leigh E. Prospective associations between peer functioning and social anxiety in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021; 279:650-61.
3-Evans R, Clark DM, Leigh E. Are young people with primary social anxiety disorder less likely to recover following generic CBT compared to young people with other primary anxiety disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Behavioral and cognitive psychotherapy. 2021;49(3):352-69.
4-Rice K, Schutte NS, Rock AJ & et al. Structure, validity and cut-off scores for the APA emerging measure: DSM-5 social anxiety disorder severity scale (SAD-D). J Depress Anxiety. 2021;10(406):2167-1044.
5-Jin S, Liu W, Hu Y & et al. Aberrant functional connectivity of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and its age dependence in children and adolescents with social anxiety disorder. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2023; 82:103498.
6-Rapee RM, Creswell C, Kendall PC & et al. Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: A summary and overview of the literature. Behavior Research and Therapy. 2023;168:104376.
7-Montero ES, Morales-Rodríguez FM. Evaluation of anxiety, suicidal risk, daily stress, empathy, perceived emotional intelligence, and coping strategies in a sample of Spanish undergraduates. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(4):1418.
8-Warsah I, Morganna R, Warsah BA & et al. Self-Efficacy and Moral Education in Enhancing the Moral Development and Social Intelligence of Muslim Adolescents. Islamic Counseling: Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling Islam. 2024;8(2):123-50.
9-Cao G, Wei X, Liu J & et al. The association between childhood trauma and adolescent cyberbullying: chain mediating roles of emotional intelligence and online social anxiety. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2023; 14:1184382.
10-Tuck N, Glenn LM. Cultivating conscience: Moral neurohabilitation of adolescents and young adults with conduct and/or antisocial personality disorders. Bioethics. 2021;35(4):337-47.
11-Kaliska L, Pellitteri J. Trait emotional intelligence predicts self-esteem and trait anxiety in adolescents. Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes. 2023;10(3):5.
12-Liu XQ, Guo YX, Xu Y. Risk factors and digital interventions for anxiety disorders in college students: Stakeholder perspectives. World Journal of Clinical Cases. 2023;11(7):1442.
13-Muris P, Meesters C, van Asseldonk M. Shame on me! Self-conscious emotions and big five personality traits and their relations to anxiety disorder symptoms in young, non-clinical adolescents. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. 2018;49(2):268-78.
14-Oktaviani O, Ardimen A, Desmita D & et al. The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Communication Anxiety in Adolescents. International Journal of Research in Counseling. 2022;1(1):12-21.
15-Tang X, Liu Q, Cai F & et al. Prevalence of social anxiety disorder and symptoms among Chinese children, adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022; 13:792356.
16-Danneel S, Nelemans S, Spithoven A & et al. Internalizing problems in adolescence: Linking loneliness, social anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms over time. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 2019; 47:1691-705.
17-Biete C, Biete A, Patriota ES & et al. Household food insecurity and symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Maternal & Child Nutrition. 2025;21(1):13714.
18-Shadli SM, Donegan CJ, Bin Mohd Fahmi MS & et al. Is lack of goal-conflict-specific rhythmicity a biomarker for treatment resistance in generalised anxiety but not social anxiety or major depression?. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2024;38(9):789-97.
19-Lima RA, de Barros MV, Dos Santos MA & et al. The synergic relationship between social anxiety, depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality and body fatness in adolescents. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2020;260:200-5.
20-Van Zalk N, Van Zalk M. Longitudinal links between adolescent social anxiety and depressive symptoms: Testing the mediational effects of cybervictimization. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. 2019;50:186-97.
21-Lakhtakia T, Smith SR, Mohr DC & et al. Longitudinal associations of daily affective dynamics with depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2024; 352:437-44.
22-Leo K, Kewitz S, Wartberg L & et al. Depression and social anxiety predict internet use disorder symptoms in children and adolescents at 12-month follow-up: Results from a longitudinal study. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12:787162.
23-Derin S, Selman SB, Alyanak B & et al. The role of adverse childhood experiences and attachment styles in social anxiety disorder in adolescents. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry. 2022;27(3):644-57.
24-Fattouh N, Haddad C, Salameh P & et al. A national study of the association of attachment styles with depression, social anxiety, and suicidal ideation among Lebanese adolescents. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2022;24(3):41070.
25-Öztürk Y, Özyurt G, Turan S & et al. Relationships between theory of mind (ToM) and attachment properties in adolescent with social axiety disorder. Archives of Neuropsychiatry. 2020;57(1):65.
26-Elling C, Forstner AJ, Seib-Pfeifer LE & et al. Social anxiety disorder with comorbid major depression–why fearful attachment style is relevant. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2022;147:283-90.
27-Maia BR, Coelho C, Marques M & et al. Associations between social anxiety and avoidance, attachment styles and parental marital status, in late adolescence. European Psychiatry. 2021;64:S183.
28-Irfan H, Munir M, Majeed S. Exploring the Relationship between Insecure Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety in Undergraduate Students. Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies. 2023;9(3):315-24.
29-Obeid S, Sacre H, Haddad C & et al. Factors associated with fear of intimacy among a representative sample of the Lebanese population: The role of depression, social phobia, self‐esteem, intimate partner violence, attachment, and maladaptive schemas. Perspectives in psychiatric care. 2020;56(3):486-94.
30-Carcedo RJ, Vázquez-Iglesias P, Parade S & et al. Social anxiety mediates the effect of attachment to parents on friendships and loneliness during the college transition. Current Psychology. 2023;42(13):10457-67.
31-Ji X, Feng N, Cui L. The serial mediation role of parent-child attachment and empathy in the relationship between parental technofinance and social anxiety. Current Psychology. 2024;43(29):24418-28.
32-Connor KM, Davidson JR, Churchill LE & et al. Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New self-rating scale. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2000;176(4):379-86.
33-World Medical Association. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. Jama. 2013;310(20):2191-4.
34-Rabiee S, Heysieattalab S, Vahabi Z & et al. A Comparative Study on the Working Memory of the Children of Parents With and Without Alzheimer's Disease. IJPCP 2024; 30 (1): 4871.1.
35-Lennick D, Kiel F. Moral intelligence is the key to enhancing business performance and leadership success. Wharton School Publishing is an imprint of Pearson Education Wharton School Publishing. USA: An Imprint of Pearson Education. 2005:5-45.
36-Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown G. Beck depression inventory–II. Psychological assessment. 1996;78(2):490-8.
37-Shaver P, Hazan C. Being lonely & et al. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality. 1987;2(2):105.
Robabeh Rostami Janaghard(M.A)1, Vahid Pour Saeid(M.A)2, Faranak Saeedi Moghadam(M.A)3, Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe(Ph.D.)4, Hojjatollah Farahani(Ph.D.)5
1.Masters of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran
2.Masters of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran
3.Masters of General Psychology, Payame Noor University, Zarrinshahr Branch, Zarrinshahr, Iran
4.Corresponding Aouther: Ph.D in Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Email: farzinbagheri@modares.ac.ir Tel: 09114969488
5.Associate Professor Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Psychological disorders during adolescence can significantly affect emotional, social, and academic development. One of the most common of these disorders is Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), which may lead to difficulties in interpersonal relationships and a reduced quality of life in adolescents. The present study aimed to compare moral intelligence, depression, and attachment styles between adolescents with and without SAD.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive causal-comparative design. The statistical population comprised high school students from districts 2 and 6 of Tehran Province during the 2024 academic year. A convenience sample of 240 adolescents (120 diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and 120 without the disorder) was selected based on their scores on the Social Anxiety Inventory; participants scoring one standard deviation above the mean (score ≥ 33) were classified as having social anxiety disorder, while those with lower scores were categorized as non-anxious. Participants completed the Social Anxiety Inventory, Moral Intelligence Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Adult Attachment Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using MANOVA and ANOVA via SPSS version 27.
Results: Adolescents with SAD exhibited lower levels of moral intelligence and secure attachment, as well as higher levels of depression, avoidant attachment and ambivalent attachment compared to their non-SAD peers That this difference was significant(P<0/001).
Conclusion: Adolescents with social anxiety disorder have lower moral intelligence and weaker secure attachment and suffer more from depression and maladaptive attachment styles (avoidant and ambivalent). These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions to strengthen emotional-social skills and reduce depressive symptoms in this group and emphasize the critical role of families and schools in promoting adolescent mental health.
Keywords: Social Anxiety Disorder, Moral Intelligence, Depression, Attachment Styles
Conflict of interest: The authors declared no conflict of interest.
References
1-Alves F, Figueiredo DV, Vagos P. The prevalence of adolescent social fears and social anxiety disorder in school contexts. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2022;19(19):12458.
2-Chiu K, Clark DM, Leigh E. Prospective associations between peer functioning and social anxiety in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021; 279:650-61.
3-Evans R, Clark DM, Leigh E. Are young people with primary social anxiety disorder less likely to recover following generic CBT compared to young people with other primary anxiety disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Behavioral and cognitive psychotherapy. 2021;49(3):352-69.
4-Rice K, Schutte NS, Rock AJ & et al. Structure, validity and cut-off scores for the APA emerging measure: DSM-5 social anxiety disorder severity scale (SAD-D). J Depress Anxiety. 2021;10(406):2167-1044.
5-Jin S, Liu W, Hu Y & et al. Aberrant functional connectivity of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and its age dependence in children and adolescents with social anxiety disorder. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2023; 82:103498.
6-Rapee RM, Creswell C, Kendall PC & et al. Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: A summary and overview of the literature. Behavior Research and Therapy. 2023;168:104376.
7-Montero ES, Morales-Rodríguez FM. Evaluation of anxiety, suicidal risk, daily stress, empathy, perceived emotional intelligence, and coping strategies in a sample of Spanish undergraduates. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(4):1418.
8-Warsah I, Morganna R, Warsah BA & et al. Self-Efficacy and Moral Education in Enhancing the Moral Development and Social Intelligence of Muslim Adolescents. Islamic Counseling: Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling Islam. 2024;8(2):123-50.
9-Cao G, Wei X, Liu J & et al. The association between childhood trauma and adolescent cyberbullying: chain mediating roles of emotional intelligence and online social anxiety. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2023; 14:1184382.
10-Tuck N, Glenn LM. Cultivating conscience: Moral neurohabilitation of adolescents and young adults with conduct and/or antisocial personality disorders. Bioethics. 2021;35(4):337-47.
11-Kaliska L, Pellitteri J. Trait emotional intelligence predicts self-esteem and trait anxiety in adolescents. Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes. 2023;10(3):5.
12-Liu XQ, Guo YX, Xu Y. Risk factors and digital interventions for anxiety disorders in college students: Stakeholder perspectives. World Journal of Clinical Cases. 2023;11(7):1442.
13-Muris P, Meesters C, van Asseldonk M. Shame on me! Self-conscious emotions and big five personality traits and their relations to anxiety disorder symptoms in young, non-clinical adolescents. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. 2018;49(2):268-78.
14-Oktaviani O, Ardimen A, Desmita D & et al. The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Communication Anxiety in Adolescents. International Journal of Research in Counseling. 2022;1(1):12-21.
15-Tang X, Liu Q, Cai F & et al. Prevalence of social anxiety disorder and symptoms among Chinese children, adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022; 13:792356.
16-Danneel S, Nelemans S, Spithoven A & et al. Internalizing problems in adolescence: Linking loneliness, social anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms over time. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 2019; 47:1691-705.
17-Biete C, Biete A, Patriota ES & et al. Household food insecurity and symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Maternal & Child Nutrition. 2025;21(1):13714.
18-Shadli SM, Donegan CJ, Bin Mohd Fahmi MS & et al. Is lack of goal-conflict-specific rhythmicity a biomarker for treatment resistance in generalised anxiety but not social anxiety or major depression?. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2024;38(9):789-97.
19-Lima RA, de Barros MV, Dos Santos MA & et al. The synergic relationship between social anxiety, depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality and body fatness in adolescents. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2020;260:200-5.
20-Van Zalk N, Van Zalk M. Longitudinal links between adolescent social anxiety and depressive symptoms: Testing the mediational effects of cybervictimization. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. 2019;50:186-97.
21-Lakhtakia T, Smith SR, Mohr DC & et al. Longitudinal associations of daily affective dynamics with depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2024; 352:437-44.
22-Leo K, Kewitz S, Wartberg L & et al. Depression and social anxiety predict internet use disorder symptoms in children and adolescents at 12-month follow-up: Results from a longitudinal study. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12:787162.
23-Derin S, Selman SB, Alyanak B & et al. The role of adverse childhood experiences and attachment styles in social anxiety disorder in adolescents. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry. 2022;27(3):644-57.
24-Fattouh N, Haddad C, Salameh P & et al. A national study of the association of attachment styles with depression, social anxiety, and suicidal ideation among Lebanese adolescents. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2022;24(3):41070.
25-Öztürk Y, Özyurt G, Turan S & et al. Relationships between theory of mind (ToM) and attachment properties in adolescent with social axiety disorder. Archives of Neuropsychiatry. 2020;57(1):65.
26-Elling C, Forstner AJ, Seib-Pfeifer LE & et al. Social anxiety disorder with comorbid major depression–why fearful attachment style is relevant. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2022;147:283-90.
27-Maia BR, Coelho C, Marques M & et al. Associations between social anxiety and avoidance, attachment styles and parental marital status, in late adolescence. European Psychiatry. 2021;64:S183.
28-Irfan H, Munir M, Majeed S. Exploring the Relationship between Insecure Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety in Undergraduate Students. Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies. 2023;9(3):315-24.
29-Obeid S, Sacre H, Haddad C & et al. Factors associated with fear of intimacy among a representative sample of the Lebanese population: The role of depression, social phobia, self‐esteem, intimate partner violence, attachment, and maladaptive schemas. Perspectives in psychiatric care. 2020;56(3):486-94.
30-Carcedo RJ, Vázquez-Iglesias P, Parade S & et al. Social anxiety mediates the effect of attachment to parents on friendships and loneliness during the college transition. Current Psychology. 2023;42(13):10457-67.
31-Ji X, Feng N, Cui L. The serial mediation role of parent-child attachment and empathy in the relationship between parental technofinance and social anxiety. Current Psychology. 2024;43(29):24418-28.
32-Connor KM, Davidson JR, Churchill LE & et al. Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New self-rating scale. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2000;176(4):379-86.
33-World Medical Association. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. Jama. 2013;310(20):2191-4.
34-Rabiee S, Heysieattalab S, Vahabi Z & et al. A Comparative Study on the Working Memory of the Children of Parents With and Without Alzheimer's Disease. IJPCP 2024; 30 (1): 4871.1.
35-Lennick D, Kiel F. Moral intelligence is the key to enhancing business performance and leadership success. Wharton School Publishing is an imprint of Pearson Education Wharton School Publishing. USA: An Imprint of Pearson Education. 2005:5-45.
36-Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown G. Beck depression inventory–II. Psychological assessment. 1996;78(2):490-8.
37-Shaver P, Hazan C. Being lonely & et al. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality. 1987;2(2):105.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Psychology
Received: 2025/03/24 | Accepted: 2025/06/7 | Published: 2025/09/11
Received: 2025/03/24 | Accepted: 2025/06/7 | Published: 2025/09/11
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