The Predictive Value of Self- and Peer-Rated Social Status on Social Anxiety in Adolescents

Abstract

For adolescents peer status is extremely important and peer relations are an important protective factor for their psychological well-being. Especially during this developmental period feelings of social anxiety are common among adolescents. Previous research has examined the association between social status and social anxiety, however, contradicting results are presented in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of social status on social anxiety. The current study includes a two-year-sample of adolescents (N = 410). A difference is made between self-rated and peer-rated social status. Social status is defined by two parameters: likeability and popularity. Correlational analysis support the idea of popularity as clear construct among adolescents, while differences are shown between self-rated and peer-rated likeability. Furthermore, social anxiety is negatively associated with self-rated likeability and not with peer-rated likeability. Adolescents with higher levels of social anxiety tend to rate themselves as less likeable than their peers do. Social anxiety is also negatively associated with peer-rated popularity in both waves. Adolescents with higher levels of social anxiety are rated less popular by their peers. A negative association between social anxiety and self-rated popularity is only found to be significant in wave one. Multiple linear regression analysis indicates the predictive value of self-rated popularity on social anxiety one year later: A low self-rated level of popularity in wave one predicts higher levels of social anxiety at wave two. The current results emphasize the importance of self-perceptions of social status in socially anxious adolescents. Keywords: social status, peer status, likeability, popularity, social anxiety, adolescents.