The relationship between fear of negative evaluation and social anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Songhao Peng, Min Zhou, Longyan Yue et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the association between fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and social anxiety (SA) across 143 studies and 146 independent samples, including 80,285 participants. The pooled correlation was r = 0.53 (95% CI: 0.50-0.55; I² = 88.62%), indicating a moderate positive association alongside substantial between-study heterogeneity. Correlations were stronger in Western samples (r = 0.59) than Eastern samples (r = 0.52). Measurement tools and cultural background were associated with variation in effect sizes; gender, age, publication year, and FNE measures were not significant moderators.
Key findings
- Across 143 studies and 146 samples (N = 80,285), FNE and SA had a pooled correlation of r = 0.53 (95% CI: 0.50-0.55).
- Heterogeneity was substantial (I² = 88.62%), indicating considerable variation in associations across studies.
- The correlation was stronger in Western samples (r = 0.59) than Eastern samples (r = 0.52).
- SA measurement tools and cultural background were associated with effect-size variation; gender, age, publication year, and FNE measures were not significant moderators.
Why it matters
The findings support FNE as an important cognitive correlate of social anxiety, while showing that the observed relationship varies across cultural contexts and measurement approaches. This distinction matters when interpreting research findings or comparing results across populations and instruments. Because the evidence is largely cross-sectional and highly heterogeneous, the pooled association does not establish that FNE causes or precedes social anxiety.
What to keep in mind
Substantial heterogeneity and the predominance of cross-sectional designs limit causal interpretation.