Towards Explaining the Association Between Shyness and Loneliness: A Path Analysis With American College Students

Abstract

Numerous studies have observed a robust correlation between shyness and loneliness but few have attempted to explain why this relationship exists. This study assessed the extent to which variables associated with self-presentation approaches to shyness and social support mediated the association between shyness and loneliness. Two hundred and fifty-five American college students completed self-report measures of shyness, loneliness, expectations of rejection, interpersonal competence and close social support. A path analysis indicated that high levels of shyness were related to features of a protective style of self-presentation (perceived deficits in interpersonal competence, heightened expectations of rejection). In turn, low levels of interpersonal competence predicted reductions in social support. Together, measures indicative of a protective self-presentation style and reductions in social support predicted increases in loneliness. However, shyness and loneliness had a significant association, even after controlling for the influence of self-presentation and social support. Findings suggest that although features of protective self-presentation and social support may partially explain the association between shyness and loneliness, shyness and loneliness are also directly related.

Perceptions by and of lonely people in social networks

“…Beyond self‐reports, classmates of lonely people perceive their lonely classmates as less likely to engage in approach‐oriented interactions but more likely to display anxiety‐avoidant behaviors (Eronen & Nurmi, 1999); judges rate lonely people's interaction style as self‐absorbed, less attentive to partners, and less responsive to their partner's attitudes, activities, experience, or preceding statements (Jones et al, 1982), and generally as drab and dull (Solano & Koester, 1989). Other studies link loneliness to shyness, social anxiety, and hypersensitivity to rejection (Jackson, 2007; Jackson, Fritch, Nagasaka, & Gunderson, 2002; Leary, Koch, & Hechenbleikner, 2001), all of which would further contribute to a relative paucity of approach behaviors. These deficits likely would undermine everyday social engagement and thereby contribute to the lonely persons' belief that social interaction is neither satisfying nor rewarding.…”

“…Research has established an association between loneliness and negative self‐regard. Loneliness is robustly associated with lower self‐esteem (Ernst & Cacioppo, 1999; Jones et al, 1981; Levin & Stokes, 1986; Sletta et al, 1996), negative perceptions of one's own appearance and likability (Christensen & Kashy, 1998; Jones, 1982), social anxiety, depression, neuroticism, introversion (Ponzetti, 1990; Stokes, 1985), and shyness and fear of negative evaluation (Jackson et al, 2002; Leary et al, 2001). Lonely people tend toward pessimistic anxiety and social avoidance (Eronen & Nurmi, 1999).…”

Shy Adolescents' Perceptions of Parents' Psychological Control and Emotional Warmth: Examining Bidirectional Links

“…Although they might be easy to overlook, they probably experience much private unhappiness, as adolescent shy behavior is linked to loneliness (Mounts, Valentiner, Anderson, & Boswell, 2006), having fewer friends (Asendorpf & Wilpers, 1998), and other internalizing problems such as anxiety, low self-worth (Jackson, Fritch, Nagasaka, & Gunderson, 2002), depression (Elovainio et al, 2004;Smith & Betz, 2002), social phobia (Heiser, Turner, & Beidel, 2003), and eating disorders among women (Troop & Bifulco, 2002). Shy behavior in adolescence seems to be particularly problematic in the long run, as it has been linked to middle-adulthood measures of poor romantic and sexual relationships, low self-esteem, and low subjective well-being (Kerr, 2001).…”

The Predictive Role of Emotional Intelligence on Personality and Shyness

“…Shy persons are reluctant to socialize because of the fear of lack of their social competence and fear of being rejected by others (Jackson et al, [22]). Shyness is a common and problematic situation for withdrawn persons, which they want to get rid of (Carducci and Zimbardo, [4]).…”