The Impact of COVID-19 on Social Anxiety and Rejection Sensitivity

Abstract

The following study explores the potential impact of COVID-19 on Social Anxiety and Rejection Sensitivity among college students. Over 300 college students completed a survey asking about whether they had contracted COVID-19, and, if they had, additional characteristics (i.e., when they contracted the disease, whether they were symptomatic, whether their symptoms were neurological, how many times they had contracted COVID-19). In addition, they indicated their current levels of Social Anxiety and Rejection Sensitivity, as well as general classroom anxiety. Lastly, participants indicated whether they had been formally diagnosed with related psychological disorders (autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, rejection sensitivity dysphoria), as well as roughly when they had been diagnosed. Approximately half of the sample reported that they had contracted COVID-19 at least once, and approximately one third of the total sample had been previously diagnosed with anxiety. Results indicated that about one third of those who contracted COVID-19 indicated increases in anxiety or depression post-COVID-19. In addition, females in reported higher Social Anxiety and general classroom anxiety. Results did find that there were higher amounts of Social Anxiety and classroom anxiety among those who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 more recently, these results were no longer significant after controlling for previously diagnosed mental illness. There were otherwise no significant relationships between any aspects of contracting COVID-19 and Social Anxiety, rejection sensitivity, or classroom anxiety. This indicates that while students are reporting increased anxiety and depression, and while recently diagnosed COVID-19 does contribute to Social Anxiety and classroom anxiety, that these increases are likely due to the stress of being ill rather than the virus itself.