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Connolly, Katelyn (2024) Understanding social anxiety and self-disclosure in male friendships: a thematic analysis. Doctoral thesis, London Metropolitan University.
Background:
Social anxiety (SA) is a condition that appears to impact an individual’s ability to connect with others. Prior studies have suggested that socially anxious individuals (SAi) suffer from lower-quality friendships, which contribute to chronic feelings of loneliness and social isolation, as well as reduced well-being and life satisfaction. Individuals with SA seem to purposefully implement a communication style low in self-disclosure (SD) to avoid negative social outcomes. SAi also appear to have fewer social relationships and to disclose less within close relationships. Given the interpersonal nature of friendships and the social skills that are needed to develop and maintain friendships, individuals with SA may find it more difficult to cultivate meaningful friendships, which could lead to a higher risk of mental health problems. However, no research has yet investigated how SD within friendships is experienced by socially anxious university males; thus, leaving this groups needs unexplored.
Method:
A thematic analysis using semi-structured interviews was chosen for this research. The participants included six university males aged 18–25 years who self-identified as socially anxious.
Findings:
The findings showed that socially anxious university males experience difficulty self-disclosing in friendships, which appears to impact the quality and closeness within friendships. Lack of SD may have implications for impaired friendships, social support, and ultimately, maintenance of SA. Therefore, practitioners should consider employing psychotherapies that focus on cultivating interpersonal connectedness and SD (such as interpersonal therapy [IPT]) and should help males think critically about the unspoken rules they believe they must follow. Finally, current treatment model for SA should be evaluated to make sure it is being inclusive of every individuals experience and psychological needs.
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