Social anxiety disorder (SAD) represents a significant mental health concern affecting academic performance and social functioning among college students. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jaipur National University, to evaluate the prevalence of SAD and associated risk factors among pharmacy students. The study included 216 students aged 17-25 years, selected through systematic random sampling. The Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) questionnaire was employed as the primary assessment tool, along with a demographic questionnaire capturing potential risk factors. Results indicated that 47.7% of participants met the diagnostic criteria for SAD, with 25% exhibiting severe symptoms and 22.68% showing moderate symptoms. The prevalence was higher among females (53%) compared to males (42%) and more common in the 21-25 age group. The main risk factors identified included prior mental health issues (19.44%), bullying experiences (21.29%), family conflicts (11.57%), and stage fear (56.48%). No significant correlation was observed between SAD and academic performance. The high prevalence of SAD among pharmacy students necessitates implementation of targeted mental health interventions and support systems within educational institutions
Gupta et al. (Tue,) studied this question.