Social Phobia Among Chinese College Students in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Confronted with pressure from academics, family, work, social contact, and many other aspects, college students are the ideal group for early screening and intervention of the study. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, preventive measures such as keeping social distance and setting a baffle on the dining table have been implemented, which may have additional impacts on social phobia.

Objective: To describe the current situation of social phobia among Chinese college students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, compare the degrees of social phobia before and after the pandemic, and analyze the related factors.

Methods: Respondents enrolled through WeChat, QQ, and Baidu Post Bar to complete an online survey based on Wenjuanxing. With Peters short form of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and Social Phobia Scale (SIAS-6/SPS- 6) to measure the social phobia score of college students before and after the pandemic. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the determinants, including demographic information, family information, social relations, self-evaluation, and subjective feelings about the impact of the COVID-19 preventive measures on social phobia.

Results: A total of 1859 Chinese college students answered the survey successfully. The scores on the social phobia scale before and after COVID-19 were 12.32 ±11.93 and 13.35 ±11.86. The score increased by 1.03 ±6.36 (p < 0.001). Risk factors of social phobia among Chinese college students: low GPA rank, anxiety by not looking at their mobile phone for some time, distant family relationships, doting family, the experience of childhood adversity, and childhood bullying.; Protective factors included females, senior undergraduates, and postgraduates, being satisfied with their outer appearance, believing that they are mentally healthy, and trusting people. Most respondents believed that COVID-19’s preventive measures included wearing masks, setting a baffle on the dining table in the canteen, keeping a one-meter social distance, injecting COVID-19 vaccines, online presentation, online asking, and answering questions alleviated their social phobia. Only a few believed that the above measures aggravated their social phobia.

Conclusion: The social phobia of Chinese college students requires more attention. Implementing early intervention on risk factors in high-risked students can support their mental health. The impact of COVID-19 preventive measures on college students' social phobia still requires further research.

Note:

Funding Information: This work was supported by the China Population Welfare Foundation, through a “Family Development Fund for Respecting the Elderly and Caring for the Young (ID 2021010)”.

Declaration of Interests: All authors have approved the final article and declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics Approval Statement: The Peking University Medical Ethics Committee (IRB00001052-21054) has approved this study. All subjects voluntarily enrolled in this research. Each participant has provided informed consent.

Keywords: College students, Social phobia, COVID-19, Pandemic preventive measures