SOCIAL PHOBIA, COPING STRATEGIES, AND SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATIONS AMONG LATE ADOLESCENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Authors

• Ezhilan B U, School of Public Health, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, KarnatakaFollow
• Jesymol Joy, JSS MEDICAL COLLEGE, JSS ACADEMY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, MYSURUFollow
• Smitha Chandrashekarappa Dr., JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, KarnatakaFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0009-3055-5123

Corresponding Author

Dr Smitha M C

Associate Professor of Community Medicine 

JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a transitional period from childhood to adulthood, often marked by psychological challenges such as social anxiety, also known as social phobia. It is characterized by excessive fear of social interactions and can lead to impaired functioning or depression. Globally, its prevalence ranges from 6-10% in developed countries and 10-44% in developing countries. Coping strategies play a crucial role in managing social phobia, varying by individual characteristics. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of social phobia, identify coping strategies, and evaluate their association with socio-demographic factors among late adolescents.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 362 late adolescents (aged 16–19 years) from pre-university and first-degree colleges in Mysuru district, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-validated Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for Children and Adolescents (LSAS-CA) and the Brief-COPE inventory. Data were entered in MS Excel and analysed using SPSS version 26.0.

Results: Social phobia was present in 77.9% of participants. Among them, 41.4% had mild, 20.7% moderate, 11.6% marked, 3.1% severe, and 1.1% very severe social phobia. Active coping, positive reframing, and acceptance were the most used coping strategies, while substance use was the least used. Socioeconomic status (p=0.000) and gender (p=0.008) showed significant associations with the severity of social phobia, respectively.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of social phobia was observed among late adolescents. Coping patterns and socio-demographic factors like family type and gender significantly influenced its presence and severity.

Publication Date

Summer 2026

Publisher

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research

Conflict of Interest

NIL

Keywords

Social phobia, LSAS-CA, coping strategies, late adolescents, social anxiety

Word Count

4194

Recommended Citation

B U E, Joy J, Chandrashekarappa S Dr.. SOCIAL PHOBIA, COPING STRATEGIES, AND SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATIONS AMONG LATE ADOLESCENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY. Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 8(2): -. doi: https://doi.org/10.55691/2582-3868.1321

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