Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Peer Relationship, Loneliness and Social Anxiety Symptoms among Students from Single-Parent Families in MSU, Shah Alam

Abstract

This research was conducted to examine the gender differences in the relationship between peer relationship, loneliness and social anxiety symptoms among students from single-parent families in MSU Shah Alam. This study involved a total of 147 students who came from single-parent families with a total of 46 male and 101 female students. The instruments used were: McGill Friendship Respondent’s Affection (MFQ-RA), UCLA Loneliness Scale, The Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults (SAQ-A30) and a demographic questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistic, Pearson correlation, and t-test. The results found a significant relationship between peer relationship, loneliness and social anxiety. Peer relationship was negatively correlated with social anxiety symptoms in which respondents with the lower level of friendship quality in peer relationship indicates having a high level of social anxiety symptoms. Besides, loneliness was positively correlated with social anxiety symptoms. These findings indicate that respondents with a low level of loneliness shows a low level of social anxiety symptoms. However, there were nosignificant differences in peer relationship, loneliness and social anxiety by gender.