The study of mindful attention awareness and life satisfaction levels according to social anxiety levels of a group of university students

The Statement Of The Problem: This research paper aims to examine the relationship between mindful attention awareness and life satisfaction levels and social anxiety levels of a group of college students. Method: The research population involves college students. On the other hand, the sample group consists of social sciences and engineering undergraduate students from Istanbul Technical University, Işık University and Bahçeşehir University studying in 2015-2016 academic year. The research includes 227 people in total. The research findings were collected with the participation of 123 students from İstanbul Technical University and 76 students from Işık University and 28 students from Bahçeşehir University. The participants consist of 78 women and 149 men. The sample includes students from Social Sciences and Engineering Departments. The participants' ages range from 19 years old to 25 years old. Data collection was initiated in July 2016 and finalized within one month. Scales were distributed to students in the classroom. Scales were administrated within approximately 25 minutes. Data were obtained by using the Sociodemographic Information Form (see Annex A), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) (see Annex B), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) (see Annex C) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (see Annex D). SPSS program were employed for data analysis. Results: The findings of the correlation analysis have been statically found significant. The findings of the correlation analysis demonstrate a significant negative correlation between students' social anxiety levels and their mindful attention awareness levels. Additionally, there is a significant negative correlation between students' social anxiety levels and their life satisfaction levels. The regression analysis was used to measure cause and effect between social anxiety and mindful attention awareness and a statistically significant relationship has been observed. In this respect, it has been understood that student's social anxiety levels reduce their mindful attention awareness levels. The same result has been obtained for the relationship between students' social anxiety and life satisfaction levels as well. Accordingly, student's social anxiety levels reduce their life satisfaction levels.Conclusion: With respect to literature studies, it is known that activities basing on mindful attention awareness reduce anxiety level and increase life satisfaction. In this respect, the research findings suggest that specific programs should be carried out to raise awareness among students suffering from social anxiety. Thus, it is estimated that students' life satisfaction will increase. The research findings have been discussed in line with the literature. Key Words: Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Mindful Attention Awareness, Life Satisfaction, College Students