Self-Esteem and Mindfulness among Undergraduate Medical Students with Social Anxiety Disorder

Objectives To assess self-esteem and mindfulness among undergraduate medical students with social anxiety disorder. Material and Methods Four hundred and six undergraduate medical students were assessed using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and diagnosed using DSM-5 criteria. Self-esteem and mindfulness were assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 26.0. Association between social anxiety and self-esteem, social anxiety, and mindfulness, self-esteem and mindfulness were assessed using Chi-square test. Results Among the participants, 63.5% were found to have social anxiety disorder. Of them, 37.7% had moderate levels of social anxiety, 26% severe social anxiety, and 20.6% marked social anxiety. Low self-esteem was reported by 89.9% of those with social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder was found to be significantly associated with low self-esteem and lower levels of mindfulness. Conclusion Our results underlined the relationship between social anxiety disorder, self-esteem, and mindfulness among undergraduate medical students, shedding light on potential avenues for tailored interventions to promote their holistic well-being.