Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

Spring 2026

Thesis Director

Wesley D. Allan

Thesis Committee Member

JungSu Oh

Thesis Committee Member

Jeffrey R. Stowell

Abstract

Public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a prevalent type of phobia that shares many similarities with social anxiety. This paper examines factors related to social anxiety and PSA. Previous literature has identified self-efficacy, perfectionism, and fear of negative evaluation (FNE) as factors related to both social anxiety and PSA. However, less attention has been given to fear of positive evaluation (FPE) and international status, although these two factors are likely related to PSA. This study employed hierarchical regression analysis to investigate the predictive power of FPE and international status on PSA, while controlling for self-efficacy, perfectionism, and FNE. FPE, academic status, and gender were found to be significant predictors of PSA, but international status was not. The results indicated that FPE should be considered in the treatment of PSA. Possible explanations for the results, directions for future studies, and limitations of the current study are discussed.

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