Vol. 12, Special Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
B Laldinpuii and Dr. Rupjyoti Bhattacharjee

Abstract:
Anxiety is a mental health condition in which the person anticipates a future worry and reacts to specific items and situations with dread and fright. Social anxiety is a chronic mental health condition characterized by excessive and irrational fears or worries in social situations. Everyday social encounters for those with social anxiety can result in unreasonable worry, fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment. Symptoms can include an extreme fear of being judged, feeling embarrassed or ashamed, or worry about upsetting someone. The college time is a crucial period for the rapid development of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural maturity among students. Interpersonal communication is becoming increasingly vital in college students’ studies, lives, and employment. The objectives of the study were to find out the prevalence of social anxiety among students and to assess gender difference in the prevalence of social anxiety. The study was conducted on 198 numbers of college going students who falls under the age group of 19-21 years. Two questionnaires were used for data collection. The responses were coded and analysed. The research findings indicated that social anxiety was prevalent among students, as about a quarter of the students (24.8%) were found to exhibit a high level of social anxiety and 56.6 percent of the students were found to have a moderate level of social anxiety. There is a noticeable gender disparity in the prevalence of social anxiety, with females being more susceptible to higher levels of social anxiety compared to males. Social anxiety can have detrimental effects on various aspects of life, including interpersonal relationships, academic achievements, emotional well-being, and future career prospects. These consequences are particularly significant if not properly addressed. By engaging in careful preparation and comprehending the distinct impacts it has on students, educators can establish a welcoming atmosphere that facilitates learning and development of all students.