The effect of social anxiety and self-esteem on college adjustment, academics, and retention

In a survey of 271 undergraduates conducted during the 2nd and 11th week of their 1st semester of college, the authors found that self-esteem mediated relations between social anxiety and academic, social, and institutional adjustment. Implications for 1st-year college students with social anxiety are discussed, with an emphasis on early identification and recommendations for counselors to adapt cognitive behavior therapy interventions for use with college populations.