Correlates of social anxiety in college students and homosexuals

J Pers Assess. 1984 Aug;48(4):403-9. doi: 10.1207/s15327752jpa4804_13.

Abstract

The relationship between social anxiety and measures of trait anxiety, self-concept, locus of control, repression-sensitization and depression was examined in volunteer college student (39 males and 53 females) and homosexual (51 males and 11 females) samples. Social anxiety was significantly related to all variables of interest, except depression. Within both samples, subjects high in social anxiety had an external locus of control, were low in positive self-concept, and were high in both sensitization and anxiety. The correlational patterns were remarkably similar in both samples, and sensitization emerged as the best single predictor of social anxiety for both college and homosexual groups. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical predictions, previous studies of social anxiety, and implications for personality assessment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Repression-Sensitization
  • Self Concept
  • Social Behavior
  • Students / psychology*