Type of Document	Thesis
Author	Riccardi, Christina James
Author's Email Address	riccardi@psy.fsu.edu
URN	etd-09222009-085607
Title	The Role of Loneliness in the Relationship between Social Anxiety and Substance Use
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Psychology, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Norman B. Schmidt Committee Chair Jon Maner Committee Member Thomas Joiner Committee Member
Keywords	Loneliness Social Anxiety Alcohol Use Marijuana Use
Date of Defense	2009-09-03
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Research has shown that social anxiety is associated with increased rates of cannabis and alcohol use, but the mechanisms underlying the relationship between social anxiety and substance use are still largely unknown. One individual difference that might play a role in this relationship is the experience of loneliness. Loneliness has been associated with both social anxiety and negative health behaviors (including substance use). More specifically, loneliness has been linked to increased rates of illicit substance use and decreased rates of alcohol use. Despite the links between these conditions, no research has specifically focused on the effect of loneliness on the relationship between social anxiety and substance use. The current study sought to investigate the role of loneliness in the relationship between social anxiety and substance use behaviors and to expand the current understanding of this relationship. Consistent with previous research we found loneliness was associated with an increase in social anxiety symptoms. However the relationship between loneliness and substance use varied across studies, as did the relationship between social anxiety and substance use.
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