Study of the effect of social anxiety and social support on third place perceptions in student samples

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and perceived social support are well-documented to influence social interaction styles and behaviors. Some data suggests that SAD and social support relate to perceptions and familiarity with various public spaces outside of home and work (i.e., third places). This study assessed relations among social anxiety, self-perceived social support, and attitudes/beliefs about ten common third places (i.e., perceived degree of restorativeness, preference, and sentiment for these places) among undergraduate psychology students (n = 92). Contrary to predictions based on prior research (Fong et al, 2021, Case & Hunter, 2012), social anxiety symptoms did not correlate with any aspect of third-place perceptions. The hypothesis that social anxiety would negatively relate to perceived social support was supported; additionally, social support was found to have small significant positive correlations with both third place restorativeness and preference, although third place sentiment had no correlation. Future research is required to further explore how symptoms of social anxiety may have a relationship with the type of third places people frequent and their feelings when inhabiting these places, as well as how various forms of social support may play a moderating role in third place perceptions.