The Impact of Social Anxiety and Perceived Social Support on Parasocial Relationships among Young Adults

Abstract

Parasocial relationships, are becoming increasingly prevalent in the digital age, particularly among young individuals who experience challenges in real-life social interactions. The present study investigates the influence of social anxiety and perceived social support on parasocial relationships in a sample of 150 young adults. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed using standardized self-report instruments: the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Celebrity-Persona Parasocial Interaction Scale (CPPI). Data was analysed using Spearman’s rank-order correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between social anxiety and parasocial relationships, and a weaker but significant negative correlation between perceived social support and parasocial involvement. Multiple regression result indicates that social anxiety significantly predicts parasocial engagement, whereas perceived social support did not contribute significantly when both predictors were considered individually. These findings highlight how social anxiety plays a key role in why some individuals form strong connections with media figures. For those who struggle socially, parasocial relationships may offer a safer, substitute form of interaction.