The Mediating Role of Fear of Negative Evaluation between Negative Affect and Life Satisfaction among University Students

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the mediating role of fear of negative evaluation in the relationship of negative affect with life satisfaction in undergraduate university students of Lahore, Pakistan.

Design: Correlational study design (predictive).

Place and duration of the study: The study was carried out at COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, from March to December 2018.

Subjects and Method: Two hundred and nineteen undergraduates, distributed across genders (126 males & 93 females, Mage = 21.6yrs, SD = 1.60), responded to the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale and ICP Subjective Wellbeing Scale.

Results and Conclusion: Meditational Analysis through PROCESS Procedure for SPSS Version 21 indicates that that negative affect is a significant predictor of fear of negative evaluation, fear of negative evaluation is a significant predictor of life satisfaction, and fear of negative evaluation acts as a mediator between negative affect and life satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of examining the Fear of negative evaluation in students while explaining the role of negative affect on their subjective well-being. The study findings are a unique addition to the existing literature and will help to design appropriate interventions for students' counseling.