Table 1 Social fears, self-esteem, and general cognitive bias ( M ± SD ) in a low and a high hypochondriacal group

N = 28

N = 27

Social fears

Fear of criticism

28.1 ± 6.7

36.4 ± 10.0*

Fear of intimacy

27.1 ± 5.9

33.9 ± 7.8*

Self-esteem

34.0 ± 3.6

31.4 ± 3.5

General cognitive bias

-ratings of Chinese characters-

Positive appraisal

2.7 ± 0.4

2.7 ± 0.3

Number of familiar characters

1.8 ± 0.9

1.6 ± 0.7

Warm glow effect

1.6 ± 1.1

0.3 ± 1.4*