Background and purpose: Given to the important role of early maladaptive schemas in psychological disorders, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between these maladaptive schemas and social anxiety among adolescents.

Method: Current research was a correlational study. Sample consisted of 384 students who were studying in the schools of Rasht City and were selected using multistage cluster sampling method. Participants completed the Social Anxiety Scale (La Greca and Lopez, 1998) and Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire (Young, 2005). After controlling the confounding effects of age and gender, data was analyzed using descriptive tests including frequency, mean, and standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient test and hierarchical regression analysis.

Results: Findings revealed that the domains of early maladaptive schemas could explain 40 percent of shared variance of social anxiety (p < 0.0001; F = 41.35). The domain of disconnection/ rejection (p < 0.0001, β = 0.40), impaired autonomy and performance (p < 0.004, β = 0.17), and other-directedness (p < 0.001, β = 0.19) could significantly predict levels of social anxiety.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of present research, early maladaptive schemas could affect social anxiety. Therefore, identification of these schemas may provide a better understanding of the etiology of social anxiety disorder. Results’ implications for designing proper interventions for reducing social anxiety among adolescents are discussed.