THE EFFECTS OF CANCEL CULTURE ON SELF ESTEEM AND ANXIETY IN INDIAN CONTEXT

Title:Effects of Cancel Culture on Self-Esteem and Anxiety in the Indian Context Abstract:This dissertation examines the psychological effects of cancel culture on self-esteem and anxiety among young adults in India. The study focuses on how experiences of online public shaming and social exclusion, commonly seen in cancel culture, influence individual mental health. Data were collected from participants aged 18 to 50 using standardized Likert-scale questionnaires for self-esteem and anxiety. The results revealed a negative correlation between exposure to cancel culture and both self-esteem and anxiety levels; however, the correlations were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that while there may be a trend indicating psychological distress linked to cancel culture, further research with larger and more diverse samples is necessary to establish stronger empirical connections. This research highlights the emerging need to understand digital interactions within the socio-cultural context of India. Keywords:Cancel culture, self-esteem, anxiety, online shaming, social exclusion, digital trauma, Indian youth, psychological impact