The Mediating Role of Social Anxiety between Fear of Negative Evaluation and Online Self-Presentation in Young Adults: A Collectivist Cultural Perspective

Background: The increasing immersion in digital environments has heightened concerns about psychological factors influencing online self-presentation (OSP), especially among young adults. This study examines the relationship between fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and OSP, with Social Anxiety (SA) as a potential mediator, within a collectivist cultural context. Method: A cross-sectional design with convenience sampling was employed, involving 200 participants (131 men, 69 women) with age ranged of 16 to 32 years (M = 24.25, SD = 2.85), recruited from educational institutions and social media platforms across Pakistan. Four standardized measures were used, including the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE-S), the Social Anxiety Interaction Scale (SAIS), and the Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS). Results: The results indicated a significant positive association between FNE and OSP. Further the results demonstrated that SA significantly and partially mediated this relationship (β = −0.19, SE = 0.06, 95% CI [−0.33, −0.07]). These findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of FNE tend to experience greater social anxiety, which in turn contributes to more controlled, deliberate, and strategic online self-presentation behaviors. Conclusions: The findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of FNE are more likely to experience social anxiety, which subsequently contributes to more strategic and controlled online self-presentation. The study highlights the cognitive-affective pathways involved in digital identity construction in collectivist cultures. Interventions targeting FNE and SA may promote healthier online behaviors among young adults.