The relationship between social anxiety and academic engagement among Chinese college students: A serial mediation model

Exploring the impact of depression, anxiety, stress, academic engagement, and dropout intention on medical students' academic performance: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) have been linked to poor academic outcomes. This study explores the relationships among DAS, academic engagement, dropout intentions, and academic performance - measured by Grade Point Average (GPA) - in medical students. It aims to understand how these factors relate to each other and predict academic performance.

METHODS

Data were collected from 351 medical students (74.9 % female) through an online survey. The average age was 20.2 years. Psychometric instruments measured DAS, academic engagement, and dropout intentions. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships between these variables and their prediction of GPA.

RESULTS

DAS was negatively associated with academic engagement β̂=-0.501p<0.001 and positively associated with dropout intentions β̂=0.340p<0.001. Academic engagement positively predicted GPA β̂=0.298p<0.001 and negatively associated with dropout intentions β̂=-0.367p<0.001. DAS had a nonsignificant direct effect on GPA β̂=-0.008p=0.912. However, the indirect effect of DAS - via academic engagement - on GPA and dropout intention was statistically significant.

LIMITATIONS

The study's limitations include the use of a convenience sample and the collection of all variables, except GPA, at the same time point, which may affect the generalizability of the results.

CONCLUSIONS

The study supports the important role of DAS in its association with academic engagement and dropout intentions, which can predict GPA. Addressing DAS could enhance academic engagement and reduce dropout rates, leading to better academic performance.

Left-behind experience and mobile phone addiction among college students: A moderated mediation of social anxiety and sex

Background

With the popularity of smartphone among Chinese college students, mobile phone addiction (MPA) is emerging a remarkable behavior problem in this population. Thus, the present study was aimed at investigating a moderated mediation model of left-behind experience (LBE) affecting MPA via social anxiety moderated by sex difference.

Methods

A total of 1268 college students (Mage = 20.74, SD = 2.21) were recruited to complete self-administered questionnaires of mobile phone addiction index (MPAI) and interaction anxiousness scale (IAS). The participants also reported their sex, grade, and childhood and juvenile LBE.

Results

The results indicated that LBE increased the level of MPA among college students via mediation by social anxiety. Furthermore, sex moderated the influence of social anxiety on MPA in the mediating model. Specifically, social anxiety affects male college students more strongly than female ones in terms of MPA.

Conclusion

Our findings support that LBE, social anxiety, and sex difference should be critically included into consideration when performing interventions to buffer MPA among college students.

Social anxiety and problematic social media use: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Some theories posit a close relationship between social anxiety and problematic social media use; however, empirical findings are inconsistent, and existing hypotheses are conflicting. Hence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between social anxiety and problematic social media use. After searching and screening the literature, we identified 53 studies, including 59,928 participants and 56 effect sizes, for analysis. A meta-analysis was subsequently performed using CMA software. Results showed that social anxiety and problematic social media use were highly positively correlated. The moderating effect results suggested that the relationship between social anxiety and problematic social media use was influenced by the measurement instrument, sex, publication year, and platform type; however, the relationship was not moderated by region and age. It is suggested to consider social anxiety in the treatment of problematic social media use.

The Effect of Negative Physical Self on Social Anxiety in College Students: The Bidirectional Chain Mediation Roles of Fear of Negative Evaluation and Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy

Purpose

The detrimental effects of social anxiety on college students require urgent mitigation. To explore the influencing factors and underlying mechanisms of social anxiety among college students, this study aims to examine the relationship between negative physical self and social anxiety, and the mediating effects of fear of negative evaluation and regulatory emotional self-efficacy.

Methods

The Negative Physical Self Scale, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, and Interaction Anxiousness Scale were administered to 924 Chinese college students. SPSS 26.0 was used for analysis, and the Bootstrap method was used to test the significance level of the mediating effect.

Results

Negative physical self was significantly and positively related to social anxiety in college students. Fear of negative evaluation and regulatory negative emotional self-efficacy played independent mediating roles between negative physical self and social anxiety. Fear of negative evaluation and regulatory negative emotional self-efficacy showed a bidirectional chain mediating effect between negative physical self and social anxiety.

Conclusion

This study elucidates the mechanistic pathways between negative physical self and social anxiety. The relationship between negative physical self and social anxiety is influenced by the mediating effects of fear of negative evaluation, regulatory negative emotional self-efficacy, and the bidirectional chain mediating effect of fear of negative evaluation and regulatory negative emotional self-efficacy. This finding provides a reference for policy makers and educators to develop interventions for social anxiety in college students.

Association between problematic social networking use and anxiety symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A growing number of studies have reported that problematic social networking use (PSNU) is strongly associated with anxiety symptoms. However, due to the presence of multiple anxiety subtypes, existing research findings on the extent of this association vary widely, leading to a lack of consensus. The current meta-analysis aimed to summarize studies exploring the relationship between PSNU levels and anxiety symptoms, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, attachment anxiety, and fear of missing out. 209 studies with a total of 172 articles were included in the meta-analysis, involving 252,337 participants from 28 countries. The results showed a moderately positive association between PSNU and generalized anxiety (GA), social anxiety (SA), attachment anxiety (AA), and fear of missing out (FoMO) respectively (GA: r = 0.388, 95% CI [0.362, 0.413]; SA: r = 0.437, 95% CI [0.395, 0.478]; AA: r = 0.345, 95% CI [0.286, 0.402]; FoMO: r = 0.496, 95% CI [0.461, 0.529]), and there were different regulatory factors between PSNU and different anxiety subtypes. This study provides the first comprehensive estimate of the association of PSNU with multiple anxiety subtypes, which vary by time of measurement, region, gender, and measurement tool.

Adolescent Social Anxiety, School Satisfaction, Family Emotional Support, and School Absenteeism: Findings from Young-HUNT3 and Norwegian National Education Data

Background: Adolescents grappling with social anxiety may experience poor school satisfaction, resorting to school-related avoidance behaviors, exemplified by absenteeism, as a coping mechanism. Understanding the role of family support in alleviating the adverse effects of social anxiety on school satisfaction is imperative for fostering supportive educational settings. Although there is literature regarding how school satisfaction promotes positive adolescent outcomes, empirical knowledge on the interrelation between social anxiety, school satisfaction, and family emotional support is limited. This study investigates the association between social anxiety, family emotional support, school satisfaction, and school absenteeism within the theoretical framework of the stage-environment fit theory to offer insight into how family emotional support can moderate the influence of social anxiety on school-related outcomes. Methods: Utilizing a population-based sample of 1861 upper secondary school pupils from the Trøndelag Young Health study "Young-HUNT3 study", we employed an index of moderated mediation to examine the role of family emotional support in moderating the association between social anxiety and school-related avoidance behavior related to school satisfaction. Results: Family emotional support had moderated mediation association for school absenteeism (β = 0.128, 95% CI 0.019, 0.278) and extracurricular activity (β = -0.003, 95% CI -0.008, -0.000). Conclusions: This urges further investigation into the specific mechanisms and individual differences influencing these relationships, aiming to deepen our understanding of adolescents' experiences and inform comprehensive strategies for promoting their well-being within school communities.

Mediating Role of PERMA Wellbeing in the Relationship between Insomnia and Psychological Distress among Nursing College Students

BACKGROUND

Psychological distress is an important mental health problem in college students. Insomnia may be a major factor contributing to psychological distress. This study aimed to explore the indirect relationship between insomnia and psychological distress through the five PERMA wellbeing variables (i.e., positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning in life, and achievement) among nursing college students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in China using an online survey design. Mediation analyses were examined using the PROCESS macro version 4.1 for SPSS 27.0. A total of 1741 nursing college students completed the online survey.

RESULTS

Insomnia was positively associated with psychological distress (p < 0.01, r = 0.673), while negative associations were detected between PERMA wellbeing variables and insomnia (p < 0.01, r range = -0.176 and -0.272), as well as psychological distress (p < 0.01, r range = -0.196 and -0.386). The association between insomnia and psychological distress was partially mediated by the participants' positive emotions (indirect effect = 0.137, SE = 0.024, 95% CI boot = [0.094, 0.188]), engagement (indirect effect = -0.033, SE = 0.010, 95% CI boot = [-0.054, -0.017]), and meaning in life (indirect effect = 0.027, SE = 0.014, 95% CI boot = [0.001, 0.055]) but not their relationships or achievement of the PERMA wellbeing variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that the PERMA wellbeing variables, especially positive emotions, engagement, and meaning in life, could be potential mechanisms by which insomnia is associated with psychological distress. The mediating roles of PERMA wellbeing variables between insomnia and psychological distress could be incorporated into the health management of university administrations to promote the health and wellbeing of nursing college students.

Depression and academic engagement among college students: the role of sense of security and psychological impact of COVID-19

Background

The negative consequences of depression in college students have garnered global attention, especially in relation to academic achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic, which need critical assessment.

Aim

This study investigated whether a sense of security mediated the relationship between depression and academic engagement among college students during the pandemic and whether the moderating psychological impact of COVID-19 has a moderating effect on this relationship.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 466 college students from 30 provincial-level administrative regions in China via the Internet and used established scales to measure depression, academic engagement, a sense of security, and the psychological impact of COVID-19. The mediating and moderating effects were tested using the bootstrap method.

Results

Depression was found to negatively influence academic engagement, with a sense of security partially mediating this relationship. Moreover, the psychological impact of COVID-19 was shown to have a moderating effect on this mediating process.

Conclusion

This study could aid in crafting pertinent strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of depression on learning amid unexpected public health crises and foster better mental health among college students.

The role of boredom proneness and self-control in the association between anxiety and smartphone addiction among college students: a multiple mediation model

Background

Smartphone addiction has been found to be a widespread public health issue, especially among youth. Previous studies reported a significant association between anxiety and smartphone addiction, but the underlying mechanism in this relationship is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating roles of boredom proneness and self-control in the relationship between anxiety and smartphone addiction.

Methods

Self-reported measures of anxiety, boredom proneness, self-control and smartphone addiction were administered to 1,526 Chinese college students.

Results

Smartphone addiction scores varied between 10 and 60 with an average of 30.89 ± 10.57 points. Anxiety had a direct and positive effect on smartphone addiction (effect = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.11-0.25), and an indirect effect on smartphone addiction through boredom proneness (effect = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.06-0.15) and self-control (effect = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.13-0.20). Boredom proneness and self-control sequentially mediated the relationship between anxiety and smartphone addiction (effect = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.10-0.15).

Conclusion

Anxiety is positively associated with smartphone addiction, and boredom proneness and self-control are important mediators in this relationship. Strengthening self-control and mitigating boredom could prevent smartphone addiction in anxious college students.

Effects of Social Anxiety and Subjective Well-Being on Problematic Mobile Social Media Use in First-Year University Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

Background: Problematic mobile social media use may impact college students' physical and mental health. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of social anxiety and subjective well-being on problematic mobile social media use and the mediating role of self-esteem in this relationship. Methods: A total of 387 first-year university students (39.8% females, 60.2% males; mean age = 18.74 years) were enrolled in this study and completed self-report measures of social anxiety, subjective well-being, self-esteem and problematic mobile social media use. A structural equation model was constructed and tested by AMOS 23.0 software. Results: (1) Social anxiety not only had a direct effect on problematic mobile social media use, but also had an indirect effect on problematic mobile social media use via self-esteem. (2) Subjective well-being was positively and significantly associated with self-esteem, as well as problematic mobile social media use. (3) Self-esteem played a suppressing role between subjective well-being and problematic mobile social media use. Conclusions: It is necessary to help college students reduce their social anxiety and increase their subjective happiness through appropriate ways, as this plays an important role in increasing self-esteem and reducing their problematic mobile social media use.

Parental phubbing and academic burnout in adolescents: the role of social anxiety and self-control

Based on the limited resource model of self-control, we construct a chain mediation model to examine the relationship between parental phubbing and adolescents' academic burnout, and whether social anxiety and self-control play a mediating role in it. We used 4 questionnaires to investigate parental phubbing, social anxiety, self-control, and adolescents' academic burnout among 828 high school students in Wuhu and Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China. The findings indicated that: (1) parental phubbing, social anxiety, and self-control all significantly predict adolescents' academic burnout directly and (2) parental phubbing could indirectly influence adolescents' academic burnout through three pathways: the separate mediating effect of social anxiety and self-control, and the chain mediating effect on both. The results of this study help parents understand how their phubbing actions affect adolescents' academic burnout and the mechanism of action.