In the era of widespread social networking sites (SNSs), understanding the intricate relationship between personality traits and emotional experiences in social interactions is paramount. This study delves into the impact of openness, a personality trait reflecting a willingness to consider diverse perspectives, on social anxiety, employing the cognitive-behavioral model of social anxiety as a theoretical framework.
Methods
Conducted as a cross-sectional survey, this study engaged 522 college students from two provinces in China, with a demographic composition of 191 males, aged between 18 and 25 (M = 20.76, SD = 1.34).
Results
The findings unveiled a negative correlation between openness and social anxiety, emphasizing the potential influence of personality traits on emotional experiences in social interactions. Two distinct pathways were identified as mediating this relationship:
Self-Evaluation: Openness exhibited a negative association with social anxiety through its impact on self-evaluation. The study highlights the significance of individuals’ self-perceptions in the context of social anxiety.
Social Networking Site (SNS) Use: Differentiating between active and passive SNS use, the study demonstrated independent mediating roles. Openness negatively influenced social anxiety through the chain mediating roles of both active SNS use and self-evaluation, as well as passive SNS use and self-evaluation.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the study establishes a negative association between openness and social anxiety among college students. It goes further to unravel the nuanced mechanisms at play, indicating that the ways individuals engage with SNSs and their self-evaluations are key factors in understanding this relationship. The findings not only contribute to a deeper comprehension of the cognitive-behavioral model of social anxiety in the internet age but also offer insights for clinical treatment strategies for social anxiety. Moreover, understanding the dynamics of online interactions, particularly on SNSs, becomes crucial for individuals seeking to navigate and benefit from the digital realm in managing social anxiety.
