Well-Being, Psychosocial Problems and Social Interaction Anxiety in Children

Social anxiety is a disorder that most often arises in childhood. This results in social problems in childhood as well as adulthood. Institutionalised children have been known to display many emotional and behavioural problems but the role of social anxiety in these problems has not been explored. The present study assessed the effect of institutional care on social interaction anxiety in children and further assessed the role of social interaction anxiety in emotional and behavioural problems in children. The relationship between social interaction anxiety, psychosocial problems and well being in institutionalised and non institutionalised children was also analysed in the study. 116 children between the age range of 12 to 15 years, which included 40 institutionalised and 76 non institutionalised children, were assessed using the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) and Adolescent Well being Scale. It was found that type of care and gender did play a role in social interaction anxiety. Further, social interaction anxiety was associated with psychosocial problems and well being in children. Programs targeting creation of awareness in the caretakers/supervisors in the institutions in this area, and programs aimed at improving the interactional skills of institutionalised children appear to be essential.