Social Anxiety among University Undergraduates: The Influence of Mobile Gaming Addiction

Social anxiety (SA) significantly impacts university students, while mobile gaming addiction represents a growing concern with potential psychological consequences. Despite theoretical links, the specific influence of mobile gaming addiction on SA among Nigerian undergraduates requires empirical investigation. This research aimed to investigate the influence of mobile gaming addiction on social anxiety (SA) among undergraduates at Redeemer’s University Ede, Osun state. This cross-sectional survey utilized a multistage sampling technique to select 300 participants (149 male, 151 female) with a mean age of 19.53 ±2.22. Participants completed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (prevalence calculation), linear regression, ANOVA, and t-tests. A prevalence of 5.9% and 1.7% was reported for social anxiety and mobile gaming addiction respectively. Mobile gaming addiction significantly predicted social anxiety (β = .27, t = 4.40, p <.01). Age also significantly predicted social anxiety (β = -.98, t = -2.31, p <.01), with younger students showing higher levels of anxiety. Years spent in university did not significantly influence social anxiety levels [F (4,295) = .26, p>0.05]. No significant gender difference was found in social anxiety scores [t (298) = -2.35, p> .05], although female students (M = 36.86, SD = 15.85) scored slightly higher than male students (M = 32.39, SD = 16.65). These findings revealed a high prevalence of social anxiety among Nigerian undergraduates and underscore the strong role mobile gaming addiction and age play in SA. The study suggests a need for targeted interventions to address gaming-related issues and SA, particularly among younger students. Future research should explore additional factors contributing to SA in university settings and develop effective strategies for supporting student mental health.