A Comparative Analysis of Social Interaction Anxiety Among University and College Students of Gujrat, Pakistan

Social interaction anxiety (SIA) is increasingly recognized as a significant challenge among students, influencing academic achievement, social adjustment, and psychological well-being. In contexts such as Pakistan, cultural expectations, family pressures, and limited access to mental health services can further intensify these experiences. The study aimed to examine the prevalence and severity of SIA among university and college students in Gujrat, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey design was employed with 400 participants, including 200 university students and 200 college students. Using a convenient sampling technique, data were collected using the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) along with a demographic questionnaire. The majority of university students (71.3%) experience low social interaction anxiety, and 70.5% college students reported low levels of social interaction anxiety. The findings show that university students reported slightly higher anxiety (M = 31.27, SD = 12.18) than college students (M = 29.40, SD = 9.61), but the difference was not significant (t = 1.70, p = .090). In other words, social anxiety was found to be a shared struggle across both groups. By situating these results in the unique sociocultural landscape of Gujrat, this study contributes to a limited but growing body of literature on student mental health in Pakistan. It underscores the importance of addressing social anxiety to improve students' academic and personal development.