KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS) 2981-2526 6 Serial Number 36 2025 08 10 Prediction of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Based on Self-Handicapping with the Mediating Role of Worry Prediction of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Based on Self-Handicapping with the Mediating Role of Worry 1 10 10.61838/kman.jayps.4283 EN Journal Article 2025 03 23 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> The objective of this study was to examine whether self-handicapping predicts generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms and to investigate the mediating role of worry in this relationship.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>This descriptive-correlational study was conducted among 395 young adults in Tehran, selected through stratified random sampling based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table. Participants completed standardized self-report instruments including the Self-Handicapping Scale (SHS), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7). Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 for descriptive and correlational statistics, and AMOS-21 for structural equation modeling (SEM). Model fit indices and standardized path coefficients were used to evaluate the adequacy of the proposed mediation model.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>Results revealed that self-handicapping was significantly and positively correlated with both worry (r = .57, p < .001) and GAD symptoms (r = .49, p < .001). Worry was also strongly associated with GAD symptoms (r = .61, p < .001). SEM analysis showed good model fit (χ²/df = 2.35, RMSEA = 0.058, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95). Path analysis indicated that self-handicapping had a significant direct effect on GAD (β = 0.28, p < .001), a significant indirect effect through worry (β = 0.30, p < .001), and a substantial total effect (β = 0.58, p < .001), confirming worry as a partial mediator.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Targeting both self-handicapping and worry in preventive and therapeutic interventions may enhance the effectiveness of anxiety disorder treatments, especially in performance-oriented and culturally collectivist contexts.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

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