Relationship between Loneliness and Shyness among College Students

Abstract

Loneliness has become a major concern among the young adult population, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Past studies have also focused on how shyness can lead to lack of interpersonal relationships and how this increases loneliness among people. The present study aims to assess the relationship between loneliness and shyness among college students. A total of 124 students (69 female and 55 male) pursuing their undergraduate courses at different colleges were asked to participate.  The hypotheses formulated were a. The extent of loneliness and shyness is higher among college students. b. Loneliness and shyness are significantly related to each other. c. demographic variables significantly influence loneliness and shyness among college students. The selected sample was administered UCLA loneliness scale (Russel, 1996) and shyness assessment tests (D’Souza, 2006). The scales were shared among participants through Google forms. Once the data was collected, it was subjected to Chi-square test, Independent samples t test, one-way ANOVA and stepwise multiple regression analysis, to test the hypotheses using SPSS version 21. Results revealed that majority of the college students had moderate level of shyness followed by low level of shyness. A greater number of college students in the selected sample had average level of loneliness followed by high level of loneliness. Out of three domains only 2 domains of shyness – Cognitive Affective and Action oriented, were majorly predicted the loneliness.  Course pursued and residential status did not have significant influence over shyness and loneliness scores of the sample selected.  Strategies for reducing loneliness and shyness have been delineated.