| Abstrakt: |
Background: Social phobia is quite a common disorder, with frequent severe alteration of social adaptation and quality of life. It seems important to find the prevalence of social phobia among the young university students at King Khalid University and explore the associated sociodemographic variables, family characteristics and risk factors. The factors identified may help in primary and secondary prevention of social phobia and improve the quality of life of young students considered to be the future of any community. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 students at the College of Education at King Khalid University during the academic year 2016-2017. The personal characteristics questionnaire, the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), and the Social Phobia Risk Factors Questionnaire (SPRFQ) were used in this study. Results: The highest prevalence of social phobia was recorded in younger age (33.8%) and students leaving alone (30.5%). In relation to family characteristics, a higher prevalence was found among students who lost both parents (100.0%), those with separated parents (70.3%), and students with big family size (64.1%). At the same time, the lower prevalence was recorded in students with educated fathers and mothers, fathers with a professional job and employed mother. The risk factors associated with social phobia were identified as; fathers having mental disorders (100.0 %), a problem within a family and between parents, firstborn child, a student with shyness, those socially withdrawn, restrained and students with fear or anxiety. Conclusion: The prevalence of social anxiety disorder among students at King Khalid University at Abha is high. Most of the risk factors identified were modifiable, and effective community-based awareness programs may improve mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
