SOCIAL SUPPORT AS A PREDICTOR OF PHOBIA AMONG SAUDI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: AN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PERSPECTIVE

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between social support and phobia among university students in Saudi Arabia and to investigate the predictive capacity of social support in determining the levels of phobia within this population. The study was conducted on a randomly selected sample of 385 male and female university students. A descriptive-correlational and predictive research design was employed, utilizing a social support scale and a phobia scale. The findings revealed a statistically significant correlation between social support and the level of phobia among university students. Moreover, the results indicated that social support has predictive validity in identifying levels of phobia among the sample participants. In light of these findings, the study recommends that counseling centers make use of the therapeutic innovation proposed by the researcher in collaboration with relevant parties for the treatment of various phobia cases. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of enhancing social support programs within the university environment and activating psychological and educational counseling services aimed at students, thereby contributing to the prevention and reduction of social phobia. The study also calls for further qualitative research to explore potential mediating variables that may help explain the relationship between social support and different types of phobia.