Associations Between Shyness and Internalizing Behaviors, Externalizing Behaviors, and Relationships during Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Many studies have documented the ways in which shyness can be a barrier to personal well-being and social adjustment throughout childhood and adolescence; however, less is known regarding shyness in emerging adulthood. Shyness as experienced during emerging adulthood may continue to be a risk factor for successful development. The purpose of this study was to compare shy emerging adults with their non-shy peers in (a) internalizing behaviors, (b) externalizing behaviors, and (c) close relationships. Participants included 813 undergraduate students (500 women, 313 men) from a number of locations across the United States. Results showed that relatively shy emerging adults, both men and women, had more internalizing problems (e.g., anxious, depressed, low self-perceptions in multiple domains), engaged in fewer externalizing behaviors (e.g., less frequent drinking), and experienced poorer relationship quality with parents, best friends, and romantic partners than did their non-shy peers.

Shyness and Psychological Adjustment During Adolescence: The Moderating Role of Parenting Style

“…social phobia, avoidant personality disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) [15][16][17]. Also, shy adolescents and early adults tend to show problems in expressing one's own opinions or talking in the presence of others, in meeting people, and establishing and maintaining relationships resulting in having fewer social relationships, which are less intimate and supportive [4,18]. As a result, they receive less social support from their social networks than their non-shy counterparts.…”

“…A wide literature has consistently verified that shyness constitutes a significant risk factor for later maladjustment, such as psychological and social difficulties [2][3][4]. Moreover, many studies showed that, in childhood, some aspects of family context, such as parental factors, with particular reference to parenting style, may significantly influence the development and stability of shyness and contribute to maintain maladaptive developmental trajectories in shy children [5].…”

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“…Items were rated on a scale from 1 to 4, where 4 represented the most competent or adequate self judgment and 1 represented the least competent or adequate self judgment (in the current study, α = .84). Concerning validity, Nelson et al (2008) showed that emerging adults who reported higher levels of self worth were less likely to report shyness.…”

The Significant Effects of Communication Activities in the Co-Curricular Towards Reducing Shyness Amongst Elementary School Children

“…This affects children's academic achievements since oral communication is pivotal in the classroom learning [7]. Furthermore, shyness affects the cognitive, affective, and behaviour of a person [13].…”