Research Article

The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety

Volume: 55 Number: 2 August 31, 2026
TR EN

The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety

Abstract

This study examines the unique and combined predictive levels of negative automatic thoughts and metacognitive beliefs regarding social anxiety symptoms. The research included 424 participants (255 females, 169 males). Findings from regression models revealed that metacognitive beliefs accounted for 23% of the variance in social anxiety, while automatic thoughts accounted for 22%. When both automatic thoughts and metacognitions were included in the model simultaneously, they jointly explained 29% of the variance in social anxiety. Among the automatic thoughts, Self-Oriented Automatic Thoughts (β= .29, p< .001) and Loneliness (β= .34, p< .001) were significant predictors. In terms of metacognitive variables, the Need for Thought Control (β= .48, p< .001) and Cognitive Awareness (β= -.11, p < .001) significantly predicted social anxiety symptoms. When both automatic thoughts and metacognitive beliefs were included in the model together, only the Need for Thought Control (β= .35, p< .001) remained a significant predictor of social anxiety symptoms. The results indicate that negative automatic thoughts and metacognitive beliefs explain social anxiety at similar levels, with the Need for Thought Control showing the strongest statistical impact. This finding is significant for future research and intervention strategies.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychological Counseling and Guidance (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

April 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 55 Number: 2

APA
Çopuroğlu, A. V., Altun Kobul, F., & Yazıcı, H. (2026). The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 55(2), 759-779. https://izlik.org/JA78XN39AY
AMA
1.Çopuroğlu AV, Altun Kobul F, Yazıcı H. The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55(2):759-779. https://izlik.org/JA78XN39AY
Chicago
Çopuroğlu, Ayşe Vuslat, Fatma Altun Kobul, and Hikmet Yazıcı. 2026. “The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 (2): 759-79. https://izlik.org/JA78XN39AY.
EndNote
Çopuroğlu AV, Altun Kobul F, Yazıcı H (August 1, 2026) The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 2 759–779.
IEEE
[1]A. V. Çopuroğlu, F. Altun Kobul, and H. Yazıcı, “The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety”, Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 759–779, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA78XN39AY
ISNAD
Çopuroğlu, Ayşe Vuslat - Altun Kobul, Fatma - Yazıcı, Hikmet. “The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55/2 (August 1, 2026): 759-779. https://izlik.org/JA78XN39AY.
JAMA
1.Çopuroğlu AV, Altun Kobul F, Yazıcı H. The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55:759–779.
MLA
Çopuroğlu, Ayşe Vuslat, et al. “The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 759-7, https://izlik.org/JA78XN39AY.
Vancouver
1.Ayşe Vuslat Çopuroğlu, Fatma Altun Kobul, Hikmet Yazıcı. The Role of Negative Automatic Thoughts and Metacognitions in Explaining Social Anxiety. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;55(2):759-7. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA78XN39AY

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