Social anxiety in adolescence and the first timing of parental home leaving and living with a partner: a longitudinal population-based Young-HUNT3 study in Norway
2024

Social Anxiety and Life Transitions in Adolescents

Sample size: 8045 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Halidu Malik Dimbei, Moe Cathrine Fredriksen, Behboudi-Gandevani Samira, Haugan Tommy

Primary Institution: Nord University

Hypothesis

Higher levels of social anxiety are associated with delayed life transitions.

Conclusion

Social anxiety is linked to delays in leaving the parental home and living with a partner, but most adolescents eventually reach these milestones in their early twenties.

Supporting Evidence

  • Higher social anxiety scores were associated with a one-month delay in leaving the parental home.
  • A two-month delay was observed for first living with a partner for each unit increase in social anxiety.
  • Most adolescents eventually achieve these life transitions in their early twenties.

Takeaway

If you're really anxious about social situations, it might take you a little longer to move out of your parents' house or start living with a partner.

Methodology

Data were collected from the Young-HUNT3 survey and analyzed using accelerated failure time regression models.

Potential Biases

Self-reported data may be subject to social desirability bias.

Limitations

The study's correlational nature limits causal conclusions, and self-reported data may introduce biases.

Participant Demographics

50.4% female, aged 13-19 at baseline.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05 for leaving home, p<0.001 for living with a partner

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fpubh.2024.1484501

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication