Academic Self Efficacy, Social Anxiety and Academic Success in University Students

Abstract

Academic self-efficacy is an important determinant of academic success which could be affected by many factors both psychological and social. The present research was conducted to highlight the role of academic self-efficacy and social anxiety which could affect the academic performance of the students. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between academic self-efficacy, social anxiety and academic success with the hypothesis that academic self-efficacy positively and social anxiety inversely related and predicted academic success. Researchers choose to study the topic with a cross-sectional research design. Through the survey method, a convenient sample of 250 undergraduate students in the age range of 18 to 24 (M=21.35, SD=1.54) was obtained. Educational Self-Efficacy Scale for academic self-efficacy, Social Interaction Anxiety scale for measuring social anxiety and CGPA for academic success, along with a demographic sheet were used to collect data. Pearson product-moment correlation results indicated that academic self-efficacy has a statistically significant positive association with academic success (r=.367, n=250, p=.05) and has an inverse relationship with social anxiety(r=-.463, n=250, p=.01). Likewise, social anxiety shares a significant, inverse relationship with academic success (r=-.389, n= 250, p=.05). Moreover, Academic self-efficacy positively (β= .472, p< .001) and social anxiety inversely predicted academic success (β= -.431, p< .001). For improving academic performance, the focus of students, educators, counsellors and parents must be on improving academic self-efficacy and managing psychological issues like social anxiety as per the implications of the present research.