Objectives: Social anxiety is one of the most common disorders of adolescence. Among the factors affecting the disorder to determine the sex (female or male) reported conflicting results, while the relationship between gender role consistent with some anxiety disorders. The aim of this study was to compare social anxiety and its cognitive (AFNE) and behavioral (TISC) aspects based on different sex and gender roles (femininity, masculinity, androgyny and indistinct).

Methods: Students (N=277) aged 12 to 13 years were selected using cluster sampling. They were asked to complete research questionnaires including Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SASA) and Child Sexual Role Inventory (CSRI).

Results: The results of T-test, correlation analysis and variance analysis showed significant positive relationships between femininity and social anxiety and its cognitive and behavioral aspects. Significant negative relationships between masculinity and these variables (P<0.5) were also found. More significant mean scores were observed for social anxiety and its cognitive and behavioral aspects in the group by feminine gender-role in comparison with other groups (masculine, androgen and indistinct). However,there was no significant difference in the scores of social anxiety and its cognitive and behavioral aspects in both sexes.

Conclusion: The gender-role schema can be considered as a factor associated with social anxiety and its cognitive and behavioral aspects in adolescents.