ROLE OF SHYNESS AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT IN SELF-DISCLOSURE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The present study investigated the role of shyness and perceived social support in self-disclosure among university students. It was also intended to examine the moderating role of perceived social support in the relationship between shyness and self-disclosure. Shyness Questionnaire (Henderson and Zimbardo, 2002), Perceived Social Support Scale (Cutrona and Russell, 1990), and Self-Disclosure Scale (Magno, Cuason, and Figueroa, 2008) were used to measure study variables. Sample consisted of 380 university students including both men and women within age range of 18 to 30 years (M = 28.33, SD = 6.51). Results showed that shyness was significantly negatively related with self-disclosure and perceived social support. However, self-disclosure had significant positive relationship with perceived social support. Results further showed that perceived social support moderates the relationship between shyness and self-disclosure. Significant gender differences were found on shyness, perceived social support, and self-disclosure, with male university students reflecting more perceived social support and self-disclosure; while, they were low on shyness as compared to female students. Future implications of the study were also discussed.