Demographic Characteristics and Social Anxiety among Tertiary Institution Students in Osun State, Nigeria

Aims: This study aimed to determine the level of social anxiety across demographic characteristics of tertiary students in Osun State, Nigeria.

Design: The study employed a survey design method.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between August 2019 and February 2020.

Methodology: A sample of 1600 tertiary institution students (690 male, 910 female; age range 15-38 years) was selected using proportionate stratified sampling technique from four (two public and two private) institutions. Data were collected with the use of Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale.

Results: Of 1600 students sampled, 0.5% had no symptom of social anxiety while 10.3%, 76.4%, and 12.8% exhibited mild, moderate and severe levels of social anxiety. In addition, there was a significant predictive contribution of demographic factors on students’ social anxiety (R = 0.186, P = 0.000).

Conclusion: The study concluded that social anxiety among tertiary institution students was high. Hence, necessary policies to reduce its degree is required from education policy makers while counselling psychologists and mental health experts are also required to develop effective treatment programmes to mitigate its effects on students.