Published Paper Details:

The present study aimed to analyze the level of social phobia among visually impaired adolescents, specifically focusing on gender differences in severity. The sample consisted of 60 participants, evenly split between boys and girls, displaying varying levels of social phobia as measured on a scale ranging from normal to severe. The results show that social phobia is prevalent among visually impaired adolescents, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing mild to severe levels of social anxiety. 43.3% of adolescents meet the diagnostic criteria specified in the DSM-5 for social phobia of which majority were girls. They met the diagnostic criteria of experiencing marked fear or anxiety in one or more social situations. These adolescents reported feeling anxious in a variety of social situations, such as while giving speeches or performing in front of others. Social Phobia was not limited to peer settings but also extended to interactions with authority figures. They also avoided social situations that caused them fear or anxiety such as attending social events, and avoided doing things or speaking to people for fear of embarrassment. Statistically calculations of Chi square values show significant association between gender and severity of level of social phobia at p <0.5.