ASSOCIATIONS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY AND SOCIAL ANXIETY WITH QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Background: Public speaking anxiety (PSA) and social anxiety (SA) are among the most common psychological challenges faced by university students. While both are known to impair academic performance, their broader impact on quality of life (QoL) remains underexplored, particularly in non-clinical student populations. Objective: This study aimed to examine the associations between PSA, SA, and QoL among university students, with the hypothesis that higher PSA and SA would be negatively associated with QoL. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 100 undergraduate students (54 females, 46 males) recruited from public and private universities in India. Participants completed three standardized measures: the Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA), the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), and the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlations and multiple regression, controlling for demographic variables. Results: Descriptive findings indicated moderately high levels of PSA (M = 127.3, SD = 18.2) and SA (M = 87.5, SD = 14.6), alongside average-to-low QoL scores (M = 1.25, SD = 0.52). Correlation analyses revealed significant negative associations between both PSA and QoL (r = –.46, p < .01) and SA and QoL (r = –.42, p < .01). Regression analysis confirmed that PSA (β = –.32, p = .003) and SA (β = –.28, p = .017) were independent negative predictors of QoL, accounting for 37% of its variance. Conclusion: Findings support the hypothesis that PSA and SA are strongly linked to diminished QoL among university students. Both anxieties, while interrelated, contribute uniquely to well-being outcomes. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions such as communication skills training, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and mental health support services to reduce anxiety and promote holistic student well-being in higher education contexts. Keywords: Public Speaking Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Quality of Life, University Students, Higher Education