Childhood adversity and social anxiety among college students: the mediating roles of personal growth initiative and problematic social media use

Based on the life course theory, this study explores the relationship between childhood adversity and social anxiety among college students, as well as the roles of personal growth initiative and problematic social media use in this context. A sample survey was conducted on 909 college students, and the cross-sectional study results showed: (1) Childhood adversity and problematic social media use were significantly positively correlated with social anxiety among college students, while personal growth initiative was significantly negatively correlated with social anxiety. (2) Personal growth initiative and problematic social media use independently mediated the relationship between childhood adversity and social anxiety. (3) Personal growth initiative and problematic social media use played a parallel mediating role in the relationship between childhood adversity and social anxiety. This study revealed the mechanism of the association between childhood adversity and social anxiety among college students, expands the research perspective in related fields, and provided potential basis for a deeper understanding of the social anxiety problems among college students.