The Predictive Role of Spiritual Wellbeing in Social Anxiety of Al-Zahra University Students, Iran, 2019

Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It presents with a persistent fear of one or more social or functional situations and is highly prevalent. This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of spiritual wellbeing in social anxiety.

The method of research was descriptive correlational. The study population included all students of Al-Zahra University in the 2018-2019 academic year. The cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 290 samples. Data collection tools included social phobia inventory and spiritual wellbeing. A correlation and multivariate regression test was used to analyze the data.

The results showed that the dimensions of spiritual wellbeing have a negative relationship with social anxiety. Based on these results, the correlation coefficient (r=0.157) between the total score of spiritual wellbeing and social anxiety is significant (P<0.01). Also, the results showed that the spiritual wellbeing variable explains 10% of the changes in social anxiety.

According to these findings, planning, and teaching to promote students’ spiritual wellbeing are essential in reducing their social anxiety.