The Interplay between Social Anxiety, Online Social Networking Behaviors, and Perceived Quality of Offline Relationships in University Students

Abstract

The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between social anxiety, online social networking behaviors, and the perceived quality of offline relationships in university students. The rise of social networking sites (SNS) has transformed social engagement, raising concerns about the mental health of university students, especially those with social anxiety. A cross-sectional study involving 300 university students was conducted using the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), Facebook Intensity Scale (FBI), and Quality of Relationships Inventory (QRI). Data were analyzed to examine correlations between SNS use, social anxiety, and offline relationship quality. Social anxiety was positively correlated with higher SNS use but negatively associated with the perceived quality of offline relationships. Online engagement predicted increased social anxiety and reduced offline relationship quality. Future studies should explore interventions to improve offline relationship quality for students with high SNS use and social anxiety, promoting healthier social habits.