The relationship between cognitive disengagement syndrome and social withdrawal in adolescents: the mediating role of social anxiety and the moderating role of gender

Abstract Increasing evidence for the psychological, physiological and social multidimensional effects of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome has made CDS a focus of interest for researchers. Understanding the effects of CDS is critical for individuals’ social and psychological well-being. The purpose of this study is to investigate the connections among Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS), social anxiety, and social withdrawal. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 431 high school students in a province of Turkey. Data were collected using the Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome Scale, Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ) and Social Anxiety Scale. Direct and indirect effects of CDS are discussed. It was also revealed that social anxiety mediated the relationship between CDS and social withdrawal and gender had a moderating effect. The relationship between CDS and social anxiety is stronger in female adolescents, and the indirect effect of CDS on social withdrawal is higher in females. The research results have important implications based on the effect of CDS on social interactions.