Automatic Thoughts, Fear of Negative Evaluation, And Emotional Inhibition in University Students

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the relationship between Automatic Thoughts, Fear of Negative Evaluation and Emotional Inhibition. A convenient sampling method used to collect data for this quantitative study from 300 participants age ranging between 18 to 25 years (M=20.96, SD= 2.045). Demographic Questionnaire, Automatic Thought Questionnaire (AQT-B-15), Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation (BFNE), and Emotional Inhibition Scale ELS were used. The Inter-correlation analysis demonstrated that automatic thoughts and fear of negative evaluation positively and significantly correlated with emotional inhibition. Findings suggest that those who have Automatic Thoughts have greater risk of fear of negative evaluation. Regression analysis showed that Emotional Inhibition are significantly correlated with Automatic Thoughts also positively and significantly correlated with Fear of Negative Evaluation. All paths are showed to be significant. These findings have important implications for clinical practice, education, research, policy-making and public health policy. This study will contribute on prevention measures as emerging adults have to go later in their marital, social, and professional life. Educational programs should design to promote healthy and responsible way to cope up with this. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms and consider potential mediating or moderating factors. Despite the limitation, this study will contribute in understating the determinant factors that affects the automatic thoughts, fear of negative evaluation and emotional inhibition.