Anxiety Disorders in Young Adults: Digital Identity Construction in Collectivist Cultures

Strategic Insights -

Research has highlighted concerns about the psychological factors influencing online self-presentation (OSP) among young adults, particularly in collectivist cultures. A study by COMSATS University Islamabad has examined the relationship between fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and OSP, with social anxiety (SA) as a potential mediator. The study involved 200 participants, aged 16 to 32 years, recruited from educational institutions and social media platforms across Pakistan. The findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of FNE tend to experience greater social anxiety, which contributes to more controlled and strategic online self-presentation behaviors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant positive association between fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and online self-presentation (OSP) among young adults in collectivist cultures.
  • Social anxiety (SA) partially mediated the relationship between FNE and OSP, suggesting that individuals with higher levels of FNE tend to experience greater social anxiety, which contributes to more controlled and strategic online self-presentation behaviors.
  • The study used a cross-sectional design with convenience sampling, involving 200 participants (131 men, 69 women) aged 16 to 32 years, recruited from educational institutions and social media platforms across Pakistan.
  • The researchers employed four standardized measures, including the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE-S), the Social Anxiety Interaction Scale (SAIS), and the Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS).
  • The study's findings have implications for promoting healthier online behaviors among young adults, particularly in collectivist cultures, by targeting fear of negative evaluation and social anxiety through interventions.

Statistics:

  • 200 participants were involved in the study, with a mean age of 24.25 years (SD = 2.85) and a range of 16 to 32 years.
  • 131 men and 69 women participated in the study.
  • The study found a significant positive association between FNE and OSP (b = 0.19, SE = 0.06, 95% CI [0.07, 0.31]).
  • Social anxiety (SA) partially mediated the relationship between FNE and OSP, with a significant and partially mediated effect (b = -0.19, SE = 0.06, 95% CI [-0.33, -0.07]).

Sources:

  • The study cited: The Mediating Role of Social Anxiety between Fear of Negative Evaluation and Online Self-Presentation in Young Adults: A Collectivist Cultural Perspective. Nature-Nurture Journal of Psychology, 2025,5(1). Doi: 10.53107/nnjp.v5i1.103.
  • The study authors: Saira Majeed, Waqar-un-Nisa Faizi, Urooj Niaz, Muhammad Kamran.
  • The publisher: Nature-Nurture Publisher (NNP).
  • The study was conducted by COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Pakistan.