Mediating Role of Shyness between Childhood Abuse and Social Anxiety in University Students: Narrative from Pakistan

Abstract

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) represents one of the most common psychological problems of today. It received a great deal of
attention over the past two decades. Still, relatively little is known about its prevalence and its impact on students in higher
education (HE). The other two variables that need to be added to this equation are those of childhood abuse and shyness and their
correlation with SAD. This paper uses the case of Pakistan to explore the intricate and yet, the under-discussed relationship
between these factors i.e., abusive parenting, shyness, and social anxiety. The key findings of this research are: (i) male students
have higher levels of social, performance, interaction and evaluation anxieties than female students; (ii) age and education are
positively correlated with performance anxiety only; (iii) shyness serves as a mediator between physical and psychological abuse
and neglect from both parents and social anxiety, yet it does not mediate the relationship between sexual abuse by both parents
and social anxiety, as reflected in surveys conducted among university students. This paper suggests that more research is needed
to design targeted prevention and intervention tools, which would enable us to address abusive parenting and its implications, such
as shyness and SAD. In other words, tools are needed to facilitate effective early screening and intervention in heightened risk
groups.