Introduction: Critical thinking is a key element of mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship critical thinking disposition, self-esteem, assertiveness, Social anxiety and worry within the framework a causal model.  

    Methods: The Present study was a descriptive correlational design of a type path analysis. The study population included all students of the Abdanan Payame Noor University. 290 students selected by multistage random sampling method and results were interpreted using Pearson correlation and path analysis. In this study, the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (1992), Rosenberg self-esteem (1965), simplified version of Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (1985), Social Phobia Inventory (2000), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (1990) were used.   

     Results: critical thinking disposition had a decreasing effect on Social anxiety and worry with coefficients -0.14 and -0.11 respectively, whereas demonstrated a positive correlation with self-esteem (0.24) and assertiveness (0.21). Also, a negative correlation between self-esteem with Social anxiety (-0.29) and worry (-0.30) and assertiveness with Social anxiety (-0.31) and worry (-0.15) were observed. Path analysis results indicated that Critical thinking Disposition have a significant indirect effect on Social anxiety (-0.22) and worry (-0.28) by the mediation of self-esteem and assertiveness.            

    Conclusion:  critical thinking disposition اhave a positive impact on self-esteem and assertiveness may lead to reduction of Social anxiety and worry. This model is potentially within the framework of CBT, it could be have therapeutic implications for patients with mental disorders, including depression and anxiety disorders