Social Anxiety (SA) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in childhood that negatively impacts well-being and fosters cumulative disadvantages throughout life. The aim of this study was to predict SA for the first time in Mexico using these explanatory factors: assertiveness, specific phobia, separation anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, self-concept, depression, and coping skills. 649 children aged 6-13 years old (M=8.87, SD=1.889) were randomly selected from public elementary schools in Mexico City. The main results obtained with multiple regression analyses showed that specific phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, indirect assertiveness, and separation anxiety disorder significantly predicted SA in both genders. Concerning boys, assertiveness was also a relevant explanatory variable. Regarding girls, actual self-concept was also a significant predictor. The regression model explained 56.3% of the variance for boys, and 43.5% of the variance for girls. The findings of our study -comorbidity of SA with anxiety disorders- underline the importance of early intervention strategies to prevent the development of other disorders. Also, since assertiveness was a significant predictor, assertiveness training should be promoted in schools, with parents, and included in intervention programs in order for them to be efficient and sustainable, and to prevent and diminish social anxiety.

Keywords:
Social anxiety, assertiveness, coping, self-concept, anxiety disorders

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