This study aimed to examine the effect of anxious attachment on social anxiety in college students and to identify the mediation effects of self-esteem, shame and narcissistic vulnerability in using structural equation modeling.

College students participated in this study.

First, all variables in this study had statistically significant correlation. Second, the relationship of anxious attachment and social anxiety was significantly mediated by self –esteem and shame, respectively. Finally, the two serial multiple mediation effects were also significant from anxious attachment to self-esteem, shame and narcissistic vulnerability or social anxiety successively.

These results suggest that students’ unstable attachment can affect social anxiety or narcissistic vulnerability by mediating negative affect such as low self-esteem and shame. An intervention for students’ social anxiety is important in controlling their mental health.