Last Updated on March 13, 2023 by Mike Robinson
Social phobia is a problem that has repercussions in different spheres of the life of the person who suffers from it. This article will focus on the effects it has on the educational performance of individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder. We will list some of the main repercussions and delve into them to understand them in greater detail.
What is the impact of social phobia on educational performance?
To analyze the impact of social phobia on educational performance, we must begin by focusing on that pathology. This will provide a theoretical basis on which to proceed. Only then will we be able to understand the scope of this question.
Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is a psychopathology with specific characteristics. This disorder produces significant symptoms of anxiety when a person is exposed to certain social situations. Specifically, situations in which they feel they are being evaluated by others, even if only in their own minds.
Feeling observed by others, whether this action is a reality or a perception, can trigger anxiety symptoms. Additionally, the anticipation that this might happen can act as a trigger for all those anxiety symptoms that we have listed. It must also be taken into account that social phobia can be generalized, meaning that any social situation could trigger it.
Characteristics of students with social phobia
When discussing the impact of social phobia on educational performance, we are referring to a specific group of children. The children who suffer from anxiety in school contexts will therefore experience difficulties in achieving some of the academic goals .
First of all, it should be noted that the majority of children experience or have experienced fear for various reasons. And many of them in the educational context. However, the fear usually tends to disappear without major problems. Still, a small group of them maintains these fears and continues to suffer from them with high intensity. These fears may stay with them when they become adults without causing major problems.
It is this small group that we would be looking at to analyze the impact of social phobia on educational performance. The student must have experienced anxiety symptoms for four weeks while attending school to be identified. Participating in school activities is also part of the analysis.
These types of scenarios can be as simple as:
- going to class
- having to talk to your classmates or teacher
- participating in games or activities during recess
- physical education classes
- facing evaluation tests
Depending on the case, the student with social phobia could experience fear in any of these situations. Or in a combination of several, or even in all of them. We must be aware that a child with a serious case of social anxiety in school can be affected at different stages of his life.
1. Academic objectives
The first area is also the most evident and refers to the academic objectives the student has throughout the school year. The student may experience fear simply by attending school. This will affect their doing homework in the classroom or taking exams or other assessment tests.
The child experiencing anxiety symptoms will find it more difficult to perform well. It will be more difficult than it is for an individual who is calm with little or no anxiety. Logically, it is a generalization without taking into account the specific variables of each case. Variables such as the IQ or other factors can help predict academic performance.
2. Social skills
Another factor that can be compromised is the social skills of these students. Childhood and adolescence are learning stages, not only academically but in all aspects. One important stage is the development of social skills in the students themselves.
Some affected children and adolescents feel fear in anticipation of social situations. Therefore, they will not be able to carry out the necessary interactions with their peers. Though they have a theoretical understanding, they will lack the practical knowledge with which these tools are developed.
In addition, this lack of social skills can act as a vicious circle. Since the student is aware of their limitations, they may feel even more insecure in social situations. Particularly those that occur in the school environment, which in turn would make it difficult to acquire those skills. This will make the fear even greater.
3. Physical and mental health
It is evident that when suffering from psychopathology such as social anxiety, one’s own mental health is already compromised. But in addition, since there are several anxiety symptoms that are physical in nature, physical health itself can also deteriorate.
Discomfort caused by palpitations, rapid breathing, trembling, or difficulty sleeping are examples of symptoms that can affect health. But in addition, since there are several anxiety symptoms that are physical in nature, physical health itself can also deteriorate.
That is why, when we refer to the impact of social phobia on educational performance, we cannot forget the dimension of health and well-being for the student. These factors could be hidden and overlooked. Which may lead to more serious physical and mental problems.
4. Future socioeconomic status of social phobia
The last of the levels of affectation that we are going to analyze is that of future socioeconomic level, a factor that is not altered directly but indirectly. Specifically, it is a possible consequence that is given by the decrease in academic performance that we saw in the first point.
Related article: Social Phobia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
