Social anxiety and fear of intimacy among young adults

Abstract

This study was conducted to better understand the relationship between social anxiety and fear of intimacy among young adults. Socially anxious individuals characteristically report fear of evaluation and scrutiny by others, we hypothesized that there is no impact of social anxiety on fear of intimacy among young adults, including the difference in social anxiety and fear of intimacy among males and females. Self-report data were collected from 81 males and 119 females aged 18- 25 years of age residing in the city of Bangalore, India. The tools used in the study were Social interaction anxiety scale (SIAS) was designed by Mattick and Clarke and The Fear of Intimacy Scale designed by Michelle, Mark & Thelen. The study found a positive correlation between social anxiety and fear of intimacy in young adults, rejecting the hypothesis that there is no relationship between the two variables. The independent t-test showed no significant difference in social anxiety or fear of intimacy between males and females. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that social anxiety affects fear of intimacy, as an increase in anxiety leads to an increase in social anxiety. Therefore, the hypothesis that social anxiety impacts fear of intimacy was rejected. The findings suggest that social anxiety may be a significant factor in determining social anxiety levels. The study provides insights into the challenges young adults with social anxiety face in forming close relationships, suggesting that identifying social anxiety could predict and address intimacy fear, potentially leading to more comprehensive treatment plans.