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Cited by 11Attachment and Relationship DynamicsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesStudent Stress and Coping

Social anxiety mediates the effect of attachment to parents on friendships and loneliness during the college transition

Open access
Carcedo, Rodrigo J., Vázquez-Iglesias, Pilar, Parade, Stephanie, Herreros-Fraile, Alicia, Hervalejo, Diego·2023·Current Psychology
DOI 10.1007/s12144-022-03868-4
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Abstract

The main goal of this study was to investigate direct and indirect effects of attachment to parents on the formation of friendships, satisfaction with friends, and loneliness over the transition to college. Social anxiety and gender were tested as a possible mediator and moderator respectively. A total of 210 college freshmen at a large university in Spain participated in at a baseline assessment and a six-month follow-up assessment. Results demonstrated indirect effects of attachment to parents on ease forming friendships, satisfaction with friends, and loneliness through social anxiety, and a direct effect of attachment to loneliness. Gender did not play a moderating role. Taken together, these results suggest that programs to support the development of healthy social relationships across the college transition may be particularly beneficial for youth with challenges in familial relationships, and that screening for social anxiety may identify those students who would particularly benefit from support.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In a short-term longitudinal study of Spanish college freshmen, social anxiety mediated the effects of parental attachment security on ease forming friendships, satisfaction with friends, and loneliness, while parental attachment also had a direct effect on loneliness. Gender did not moderate the model.

Key findings

  • Parental attachment security was negatively correlated with social anxiety (*r* = −0.218, *p* < .01) and loneliness (*r* = −0.241, *p* < .01), but not with ease forming friendships (*r* = 0.014) or satisfaction with friends (*r* = 0.075).
  • Social anxiety was negatively correlated with ease forming friendships (*r* = −0.598, *p* < .01) and satisfaction with friends (*r* = −0.338, *p* < .01), and positively correlated with loneliness (*r* = 0.432, *p* < .01).
  • Indirect effects through social anxiety were significant for loneliness (*B* = −0.09, *SE* = 0.03, 95% CI [−0.15, −0.03]), ease forming friendships (*B* = 0.13, *SE* = 0.04, 95% CI [0.05, 0.21]), and satisfaction with friends (*B* = 0.07, *SE* = 0.03, 95% CI [0.02, 0.13]).
  • Gender did not moderate the path model: constrained vs. unconstrained multi-group comparison was not significant, χ²(4) = 2.84, *ns*.

Methods

  • Short-term longitudinal design with baseline assessment at the start of the first college semester and a six-month follow-up; 210 college freshmen at a large university in Spain (mean age = 18.6 years, *SD* = 1.33; 70 male, 140 female).
  • Measures included parental attachment security (12 IPPA parent items), social anxiety (20-item SIAS), ease forming friendships (8-item ICQ initiation subscale), satisfaction with friends (7-item RAS), and loneliness (De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale).
  • Path analysis was conducted in AMOS 25, with bootstrapping based on 2000 samples for indirect effects and multi-group analyses to test gender moderation; final model fit: χ²(4) = 6.94, *ns*; CFI = 0.99; NFI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.06; SRMR = 0.04.

Limitations

  • The paper states that it is unclear whether effects are maintained beyond the first six months of college, that all measures were student self-report, that the sample had unequal numbers of female and male students with fewer males, and that only gender and social anxiety were tested as moderator and mediator, respectively.
  • Evident from the text: attrition was substantial, from 438 initially enrolled to 210 in the final analyzed sample, mainly because students did not attend the second class; 5 students withdrew from the university.
  • Evident from the text: the final sample was predominantly female (140 female vs. 70 male), which the authors note limits the gender moderation analysis.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s12144-022-03868-4

Cites

71 of 72 references verified0 citation errors · 1 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

3 of 101 cited sources checked · 1 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    There is evidence of associations between parental attachment insecurity and social anxiety.

    “There is evidence of associations between parental attachment insecurity and social anxiety (Manning et al., 2017;Notzon et al., 2016)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Manning et al., 2017 source
    • cites Notzon et al., 2016 source
  • Findingown data

    Gender did not moderate the path model of attachment, social anxiety, and interpersonal outcomes.

    “Multi-group analyses demonstrated that student gender was not a moderator of the path model.”
    • Also stated in: § Statistical analyses · plain
      “No differences between groups of gender were found, the proposed model and paths are applied in the same way to men and women.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Attachment to parents had an indirect effect on satisfaction with friends through social anxiety in college freshmen over the transition.

    “Results demonstrated indirect effects of attachment to parents on ease forming friendships, satisfaction with friends, and loneliness through social anxiety”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “attachment security significantly influenced loneliness (B = -0.09,SE = 0.03, 95% CI [-0.15, -0.03]), ease forming friendships (B = 0.13, SE = 0.04, 95% CI [0.05, 0.21]) and satisfaction with friends (B = 0.07, SE = 0.03, 95% CI [0.02, 0.13]) through social anxiety.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Attachment to parents had a direct effect on loneliness in college freshmen over the transition.

    “Results of the path model demonstrated that attachment security was negatively associated with loneliness as a direct main effect.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Attachment to parents had an indirect effect on ease forming friendships through social anxiety in college freshmen over the transition.

    “Results demonstrated indirect effects of attachment to parents on ease forming friendships, satisfaction with friends, and loneliness through social anxiety”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “attachment security significantly influenced loneliness (B = -0.09,SE = 0.03, 95% CI [-0.15, -0.03]), ease forming friendships (B = 0.13, SE = 0.04, 95% CI [0.05, 0.21]) and satisfaction with friends (B = 0.07, SE = 0.03, 95% CI [0.02, 0.13]) through social anxiety.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 51
  • May combine two claims. 31

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Brumariu and Kerns (2008) suggest that the relationship between attachment security to parents and social anxiety might be more complicated than initially thought.

    “Furthermore, Brumariu and Kerns (2008) suggests that the relationship between attachment security to parents and social anxiety might be more complicated than we initially thought.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brumariu & Kerns, 2008 source

      The Discussion says attachment patterns relate differently to dimensions of social anxiety, supporting the suggestion that the relationship is more complex than a simple security–anxiety link. But the study examined attachment with mothers only; it identifies attachment with fathers as a question for future research, so the broader reference to parents is not fully supported. (LLM, conf=0.83)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Brumariu and Kerns (2008) conducted a 2-year longitudinal study with children ages 9 to 11 and found different types of attachment insecurity relate to diverse aspects of social anxiety.

    “They conducted a 2-year longitudinal study with children ages 9 to 11 to measure the influence of attachment to parents and social anxiety.According to their findings, there exist different types of attachment insecurity to parents that respectively relate to diverse aspects of social anxiety.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brumariu & Kerns, 2008 source

      The Method (sections 2.1–2.2) describes children assessed at mean ages 9.1 and 10.96, approximately two years apart. The Discussion (section 4) reports that attachment patterns related differently to aspects of social anxiety. However, the study measured attachment to mothers, not to parents generally; its reported associations also do not establish the causal ‘influence’ implied by the citing sentence. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Ease forming relationships, satisfaction with friendships, and loneliness were all associated with one another in the expected direction.

    “Ease forming relationships, satisfaction with friendships, and loneliness were all associated with one another in the expected direction of effects.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Gender did not moderate the path model; no differences between gender groups were found in any path.

    “Multi-group analyses demonstrated that student gender was not a moderator of the path model.”
    • Also stated in: § Statistical analyses · plain
      “No differences between groups of gender were found, the proposed model and paths are applied in the same way to men and women.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    There were significant correlations between ease forming relationships and satisfaction with friends, but loneliness was not significantly correlated with either of these constructs.

    “Moreover, there were significant correlations between ease forming relationships and satisfaction with friends, but loneliness was not significantly correlate with either of these constructs”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Among college students, relationships with peers contribute to adjustment during the college transition, academic success, and personal well-being.

    “Among college students, relationships with peers contribute to adjustment during the college transition, academic success, and personal well-being (Abby et al., 1985;Brook & Willoughby, 2015;Zea et al., 1995).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Abby et al., 1985 source
    • cites Brook & Willoughby, 2015 source
    • cites Zea et al., 1995 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Positive interpersonal relationships are associated with adjustment across numerous domains of social-emotional health across the lifespan.

    “Positive interpersonal relationships are associated with adjustment across numerous domains of social-emotional health including psychological well-being, self-worth, and self-esteem across the lifespan (Hartup & Stevens, 1997).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hartup & Stevens, 1997 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    First year college students securely attached to their parents are less prone to experience loneliness.

    “Finally, some evidence has indicated that first year college students that are securely attached to their parents are less prone to experience loneliness (Wiseman et al., 2006).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wiseman et al., 2006 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Parade et al. (2010) found that social anxiety mediated the association between parental attachment prior to college and ease forming and satisfaction with close relationships in a sample of female US students.

    “Parade et al. (2010) found that social anxiety mediates the relationship between parental attachment prior to college and ease forming close relationships and satisfaction with them at the end of the first semester with a sample of female US students.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Parade et al., 2010 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Loneliness has been found to be associated with attachment and social anxiety but was not included in prior work.

    “Also, other important interpersonal outcomes, such as loneliness, have also been found to be associated with attachment (Fransson et al., 2016;Wiseman et al., 2006) and social anxiety (Lasgaard et al., 2011) but were not included in this prior work.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Fransson et al., 2016 source
    • cites Wiseman et al., 2006 source
    • cites Lasgaard et al., 2011 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Parade et al.'s study only included female participants, which limited their conclusions.

    “However, Parade et al.'s study only included female participants which clearly limited their conclusions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Parade et al., 2010 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Bowlby argued that attachment bonds between children and caregivers shape future relationships, and secure attachment bonds lead to higher quality relationships in adulthood.

    “Bowlby argued that attachment bonds between children and their caregivers shape future relationships, and that when children develop secure attachment bonds, they experience higher quality relationships in adulthood (Bowlby, 1969(Bowlby, , 1980)).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bowlby, 1969

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bowlby, 1980

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    A meta-analysis found support for the assumption that early child-parent attachment bonds are related to the child's subsequent relationships with peers.

    “in their meta-analysis, found support for the assumption that early child-parent attachment bonds are related to the child´s subsequent relationships with peers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Pallini et al., 2014 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    According to Bowlby, the security of the child-caregiver attachment bond shapes subsequent relationships of the child.

    “According to Bowlby, the security of the child-caregiver attachment bond shapes subsequent relationships of the child.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Bowlby, 1969

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bretherton & Munholland, 1999
    • cites Pallini et al., 2014 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The attachment system is particularly relevant during times of stress.

    “Given the view that the attachment system is particularly relevant during times of stress (Ainsworth et al., 1978)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ainsworth et al., 1978

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Many studies support the view that attachment bonds shape future relationships.

    “To date, many studies support this view (Gorrese & Ruggieri, 2012;McGinn et al., 2005;Roisman et al., 2005;Tiwari & Garg, 2015)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Gorrese & Ruggieri, 2012 source
    • cites McGinn et al., 2005 source
    • cites Roisman et al., 2005 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Adolescents securely attached to their parents demonstrate more pro-social behavior, are more emotionally and socially competent, experience higher relationship quality and less conflict, and are more accepted by peers.

    “Adolescents securely attached to their parents demonstrate more pro-social behavior, are more emotionally and socially competent, experience higher relationship quality and less conflict, and are more accepted by their peers (Benson et al., 2006;Laible, 2007;Lieberman et al., 1999;Moore et al., 1998;Weimer et al., 2004).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Benson et al., 2006 source
    • cites Laible, 2007 source
    • cites Lieberman et al., 1999 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Social anxiety is prevalent among college students.

    “Social anxiety is characterized by marked fear and anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others (American Psychiatric Association, 2022) and it is prevalent among college students (Strahan, 2003;Strahan & Conger, 1998;Zhao & Dai, 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Strahan, 2003 source
    • cites Strahan & Conger, 1998 source
    • cites Zhao & Dai, 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Secure individuals tend to form closer relationships with others and get more involved in social groups than insecure attached individuals.

    “Secure individuals tend to form closer relationships with others and get more involved in social groups than insecure attached individuals.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wiseman et al., 2006 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Similar results have been found in studies of college students with a secure attachment style.

    “Similar results have been found in studies of college students with a secure attachment style (Welch & Houser, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Welch & Houser, 2010 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Students who are securely attached to their parents are reported to have a higher positive adjustment to college life.

    “students who are securely attached to their parents are reported to have a higher positive adjustment to college life (Holt et al., 2018;Mattanah et al., 2011;Swenson et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Holt et al., 2018 source
    • cites Mattanah et al., 2011 source
    • cites Swenson et al., 2008 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Participant age and parental educational attainment were not associated with any variables of interest, so they were not treated as covariates.

    “Correlations showed that neither participant age nor parental educational attainment were associated with any of the variables of interest.Therefore, participant age and parental educational attainment were not treated as covariates in the substantive analyses.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Insecure child-parent attachment is related to higher levels of social anxiety in adolescents, as well as general anxiety disorders in adolescents, young adults, and college students.

    “Insecure child-parent attachment is related to higher levels of social anxiety in adolescents (Erozkan, 2009;Mothander & Wang, 2014;Papini et al., 1991), as well as general anxiety disorders in adolescents, young adults, and college students (Love, 2008;Schimmenti & Bifulco, 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Erozkan, 2009 source
    • cites Mothander & Wang, 2014 source
    • cites Papini et al., 1991 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Race was a significant moderator in Parade et al.'s associations, but due to sample composition, the study could not test gender moderation.

    “Race was a significant moderator these associations, however, due to the sample composition, this study was not able to test the moderating effect of gender.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Parade et al., 2010 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    34.30% of participants lived with their parents; correlations among study variables did not significantly differ between those who lived with their parents and those who did not, so both groups were analyzed together.

    “It is also significant to mention that 34.30% of the participants lived with their parents.Because the correlations among the current study variables did not significantly differ between those who lived with their parents and those who did not, both groups were analyzed together.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Questionnaires from participants older than 21 (n=10), 7 univariate outliers, and 1 multivariate outlier were excluded from the final sample.

    “All the students in the class were invited to participate, although those questionnaires stemming from participants with ages above 21 years old were removed from the final sample (n = 10).Likewise, 7 univariate outliers and 1 multivariate outlier were excluded from the final sample for analysis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    95% confidence intervals for indirect pathways were calculated using bootstrapping with 2000 samples.

    “95% confidence intervals for the significance of the indirect pathways were calculated in AMOS using bootstrapping procedures based upon 2000 samples.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Children with less secure attachments are thought to develop more difficulties regulating emotion, which may result in psychopathology including social anxiety.

    “Children with less secure attachments are thought to develop more difficulties regulating emotion, which may result in the development of psychopathology, including social anxiety (Bowlby, 1969(Bowlby, , 1973(Bowlby, , 1980)).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Bowlby, 1969

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bowlby, 1973

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bowlby, 1980

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    The sample size was determined based on similar studies and recommendations for SEM.

    “The sample size was determined on similar studies concerning identical variables, population, and SEM software (e.g., Parade et al., 2010), and researchers' recommendations on SEM about having at least 150-200 participants (Kline, 2005;Muthén & Muthén, 2002), 5 or 10 observations per estimated parameter (Bentler & Chou, 1987), and 100 participants per group in multigroup analyses (Kline, 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Parade et al., 2010 source
    • cites Kline, 2005

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Muthén & Muthén, 2002 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The final sample of 210 participants had a mean age of 18.6 years (SD=1.33) and included 70 male and 140 female students.

    “Therefore, study results are based on a sample of 210 participants with a mean age of 18.6 years (SD = 1.33) and included 70 male and 140 female students.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductcitation

    The ICQ initiation subscale had Cronbach's α = 0.88.

    “Ease Forming Friendships.The initiation subscale of the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ; Buhrmester et al., 1988) was used to assess participants' ease forming friendships”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Buhrmester et al., 1988 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The SIAS had Cronbach's α = 0.88.

    “The Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS; Mattick & Clarke, 1998) was utilized to evaluate participants' social anxiety.A total of 20-items were answered (e.g.,”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Mattick & Clarke, 1998 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Stronger associations between social anxiety and social functioning and friendship quality have been observed among women than men in some prior research, although these effects are not consistently observed in other studies.

    “However, stronger associations between social anxiety and social functioning and friendship quality have been observed among women than men in some prior research (Biggs et al., 2012, La Greca & Lopez 1998;Vernberg et al., 1992), although these effects are not consistently observed in other studies (Brook & Willoughby, 2015;Tillfors et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Biggs et al., 2012 source
    • cites La Greca & Lopez, 1998 source
    • cites Vernberg et al., 1992 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Compared to men, women are more attached to peers, report higher peer trust, are more communicative, show higher social skills and self-efficacy, have more mutual friendships, are more socially anxious, and self-report greater positive friendship quality.

    “Compared to men, women are more attached to their peers, report higher peer trust and are more communicative (Gorrese & Ruggiere, 2012), show higher social skills and self-efficacy, have more mutual friendships (Erath et al., 2010), are more socially anxious (La Greca & Lopez, 1998;Selfhout et al., 2009), and selfreport greater positive friendship quality (Weimer et al., 2004).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Gorrese & Ruggiere, 2012 source
    • cites Erath et al., 2010 source
    • cites La Greca & Lopez, 1998 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Social anxiety has been related to a lack of social ties, which in turn is associated with lower academic achievement in college students.

    “Additionally, social anxiety has also been related to a lack of social ties which in turn is associated with lower academic achievement in college students (Brook & Willoughby, 2015;Lasgaard et al., 2011)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Brook & Willoughby, 2015 source
    • cites Lasgaard et al., 2011 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Socially anxious adolescents are reported as having fewer friendships, higher levels of loneliness, and experiencing more victimization.

    “Socially anxious adolescents are reported as having fewer friendships, higher levels of loneliness and experiencing more victimization (Erath et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erath et al., 2010 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Social anxiety is a risk factor for a wide range of negative consequences in different aspects of social interaction.

    “Social anxiety is a risk factor for a wide range of negative consequences in different aspects of social interaction (Cuming & Rapee, 2010;La Greca & Lopez, 1998;Larkins, 2014).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Cuming & Rapee, 2010 source
    • cites La Greca & Lopez, 1998 source
    • cites Larkins, 2014

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The IPPA parent subscale had Cronbach's α = 0.78.

    “Twelve items from the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, parent subscale (IPPA; Armsden & Greenberg, 1987) were used to measure the quality of the participants' attachment to their parents (e.g.,”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Armsden & Greenberg, 1987 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The final sample of male students was lower than expected due to attrition.

    “In this last case, the final sample of male students was lower than expected due to attrition.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The authors of Parade et al. called for replication in samples including male students because there may be important gender differences in mechanisms underlying associations of attachment security and close relationships.

    “The authors called for replication of their findings in samples that include male students because there may be important gender differences in the mechanisms that underlying associations of attachment security and experiences within close relationships.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Parade et al., 2010 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The RAS had Cronbach's α = 0.83.

    “Satisfaction with friends.The Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS; Hendrick, 1988) is a 7-item measure originally designed to evaluate romantic relationship satisfaction.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hendrick, 1988 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale had Cronbach's α = 0.70; item 5 was excluded due to low reliability.

    “Loneliness.To measure this construct, the 6-Item De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale (De Jong Gierveld & Van Tilburg, 2006) was utilized (e.g.,”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites De Jong Gierveld & Van Tilburg, 2006 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the University of Salamanca, and all subjects gave written informed consent.

    “This study was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Bioethics Committee of the University of Salamanca.All subjects gave written informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.The protocol was approved by the above-mentioned committee.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The same proportion of male and female students participated in wave 1 and 2, and equal proportions of 17- to 21-year-old students participated in both waves.

    “The same proportion of male and female students participated in wave 1 and 2 (χ 2 (1) = 0.11, p = .75).Furthermore, equal proportions of 17-(χ 2 (1) = 1.02, p = .31),18-(χ 2 (1) = 0.01, p = .96),19-(χ 2 (1) = 0.01, p = .96),20-(χ 2 (1) = 0.01, p = .92),and 21-year-old (χ 2 (1) = 0.43, p = .51)students participated in both waves.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There is accumulating evidence that gender differences exist in attachment, social anxiety, and domains of experiences within close relationships.

    “There is accumulating evidence that gender differences exist in attachment, social anxiety, and domains of experiences within close relationships.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Gorrese & Ruggiere, 2012 source
    • cites Erath et al., 2010 source
    • cites La Greca & Lopez, 1998 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The literature has widely supported the relationship between attachment and social anxiety.

    “The literature has widely supported the relationship between attachment and social anxiety (Mothander & Wang, 2014;Papini et al., 1991).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Mothander & Wang, 2014 source
    • cites Papini et al., 1991 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    It is also plausible that students who were social anxious had less self-confidence which negatively influenced their interpersonal relationships.

    “It is also plausible that students who were social anxious had less self-confidence which negatively influenced their interpersonal relationships (Parade et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Parade et al., 2010 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    It is likely that they are often surrounded by people, in accordance with Wiseman et al.'s (2006) findings and hence they report lower levels of loneliness.

    “For this reason, it is likely that they are often surrounded by people, in accordance with Wiseman et al.'s (2006) findings and hence they report lower levels of loneliness.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wiseman et al.'s (2006) source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    This research tested only gender and social anxiety as moderating and mediating factors, respectively.

    “Fourth, this research tested only gender and social anxiety as moderating and mediating factors, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Students who experienced social anxiety may have avoided social interactions and may also have been less socially competent when they did interact with their peers.

    “Students who experienced social anxiety may have avoided social interactions and may also have been less socially competent when they did interact with their peers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Attachment insecurity contributes to a negative view of self, which may contribute to anxiety and less competence in social interactions.

    “First, Bowlby argued that attachment insecurity contributes to a negative view of self, which may contribute to anxiety and less competence in social interactions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Bowlby, 1969

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bowlby, 1973

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bowlby, 1980

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Youth who have developed a secure attachment to their caregivers might also have secure attachment bonds with other people.

    “One explanation for this is that youth who have developed a secure attachment to their caregivers might also have secure attachment bonds with other people.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Higher levels of social anxiety are associated with higher levels of loneliness in young adolescents.

    “Similar results have been found in adolescence, showing a significant association between higher levels of social anxiety and higher levels of loneliness in young adolescents (Erath et al., 2010)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erath et al., 2010 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Caregivers play an instrumental role in shaping how children learn to regulate their emotions.

    “Second, caregivers play an instrumental role in shaping how children to learn how to regulate their emotions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Bowlby, 1969

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bowlby, 1973

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bowlby, 1980

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    We had unequal numbers of female and male students in our sample, with a lower number of male participants.

    “Third, we had unequal numbers of female and male students in our sample, with a lower number of male participants, and future research should examine these associations in more balanced and longer samples.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    They have learnt to enjoy these social interactions and likely it became a reinforced behavior while they continued making similar boundaries with other people as they grew up.

    “Thus, they have learnt to enjoy these social interactions and likely it became a reinforced behavior while they continued making similar boundaries with other people as they grew up.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    All our measures were student self-report questionnaires.

    “Second, all our measures were student self-report questionnaires, and future research should utilize observational assessments.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Social phobia is associated with higher levels of peer-related and romantic loneliness in older adolescents.

    “and social phobia and higher levels of peerrelated and romantic loneliness in older adolescents (Lasgaard et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lasgaard et al., 2011 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Parental attachment security is directly related to the experience of loneliness and only indirectly to ease forming friendships and satisfaction with friendships through social anxiety.

    “Taken together, this suggests that parental attachment security is directly related to the experience of loneliness and only indirectly to ease forming friendships and satisfaction with friendships through social anxiety.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Attachment theory proposes that early experiences develop cognitive schemas of the self and others, named working models.

    “whereas attachment theory proposes that early experiences develop cognitive schemas of the self and others, named working models (Bowlby, 1969).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bowlby, 1969

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Cognitive-behavioral models of social anxiety emphasize dysfunctional thought processes about oneself and one's social world.

    “Cognitive-behavioral models of social anxiety emphasize dysfunctional thought processes about oneself and one's social world (Rapee & Heimberg, 1997)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Rapee & Heimberg, 1997 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationown data

    These results provide information about which students may be at risk for challenges in the college transition.

    “Second, these results provide information about which students may be at risk for challenges in the college transition, knowledge that may be helpful for identifying students who may benefit most from additional support.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Internal working models function as the basis for developing subsequent interpersonal relationships and are believed to influence how individuals deal with emotions in all areas of life, especially in the context of social relationships.

    “These internal working models function as the basis for developing subsequent interpersonal relationships and are believed to influence how individuals deal with emotions in all areas of life, especially in the context of social relationships (Bretherton & Munholland, 1999).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bretherton & Munholland, 1999
63 of 63

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The mechanisms by which attachment shapes close relationships remain unclear.

    “however the mechanisms by which attachment shapes close relationships remains unclear.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    More evidence is needed to support the mediation effect in a different cultural context.

    “However, more evidence is needed to support this effect, also in a different cultural context.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There has been no prior research focused on gender as a moderator of the effect of attachment to parents and social anxiety in the college transition.

    “To our knowledge, there has been no prior research focused on gender as a moderator of the effect of attachment to parents and social anxiety in the college transition.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The influence of gender as a moderator in the relationship between social anxiety and friendship outcomes remains unclear.

    “Thus, the influence of gender as a moderator in the relationship between social anxiety and friendship outcomes still remains unclear.”
4 of 4

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentχ²(4) = 6.94reported n.s. · recomputed p = .139

    “χ 2 (4) = 6.94, ns”

1 of 1

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Discussion denies significant loneliness correlations shown in Table 1

    Major

    The discussion says loneliness was not significantly correlated with either friendship measure. Table 1 marks its correlations with ease forming friendships (−0.289) and satisfaction with friends (−0.532) as significant at p < .01.

  • Friendship-formation response scale conflicts with its stated score range

    Minor

    The friendship-formation items are described as scored from 0 to 4, but their mean is said to have a possible range of 1 to 5.

  • Loneliness scoring counts an item said to be omitted

    Minor

    The instrument is identified as a six-item scale, and item five was omitted. That would leave five items, yet the reported mean uses six.

  • Social anxiety response scale conflicts with its stated score range

    Minor

    The social anxiety items are described as scored from 0 to 4, but their mean is said to have a possible range of 1 to 5.

4 of 4

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Bowlby, J. (1973). Attachment and Loss: Vol. 2. Separation and Anxiety. New York: Basic Books.
  2. Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and Loss: Vol. 3. Loss and Sadness. New York: Basic Books.
  3. Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (2nd Edition). Guilford Press.
  4. Larkins, C. W. (2014). Friendship in Children with Anxiety Disorders: A Longitudinal Examination (Doctoral dissertation, UCLA).
  5. Zhao, C., & Dai, B. (2016). Relationship of fear of negative evaluation and social anxiety in college students. China Journal of Health Psychology, 24(11), 1746–1749.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Carcedo, R. J., Vázquez-Iglesias, P., Parade, S., Herreros-Fraile, A., & Hervalejo, D.
Affiliations
  • Universidad de Salamanca (ES)
  • Brown University (US)
Corresponding author
Carcedo, Rodrigo J.
ORCID
Venue
Current Psychology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2022-11-11
Volume
42
Issue
13
Pages
10457-10467
ISSN
  • 1046-1310 (ISSN-L)
  • 1936-4733
DOI
10.1007/s12144-022-03868-4
OpenAlex
W4308933506
Cited by
11
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5
FWCI
1.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Gredos (University of Salamanca) (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • Gredos (University of Salamanca) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Hispana (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • Hispana (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Universidad de Salamanca
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
Keywords
social anxiety, parental attachment, transition to college, friendship formation, loneliness, gender differences, mediation, first-year students, interpersonal relationships

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-16.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-16.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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