The Impact of Fear of Negative Evaluation and Self Efficacy in Academic Performance among Low Achievers

1*Dr Sadaf Aijaz, 2Rakan Nasser Abdullah Alruweli, 3Mohammed Abdullah Alanazi, 4Turki Helal Denan Alanazi, 5Ibrahem Owaid Mahdi Alenezi, 6Abdulrahman Bader Nasif Alenezi, 7Talal Maged M Alenezi, 8Abdulelah Ayed S Alanazi, 9Abdulrahman Omar A Alali and 10Rakan Khaled Mubarak Aljabal

1DBS School of Pharmacy and Research, DBS Global University, Selaqui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Received: 16th Dec, 2025; Revised: 26th Jan 2026; Accepted: 12th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 28th Feb, 2026

ABSTRACT

This study examines the impact of fear of social evaluation on distress, avoidance behaviors, and academic outcomes among low-achieving medical students. We hypothesize that medical students who experience high levels of social anxiety will demonstrate higher levels of academic distress and avoidance behaviors, which may negatively affect their GPA. A cross-sectional study of 5,896 medical students from Saudi Arabia was conducted. Using the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), we assessed the prevalence and severity of social anxiety and its relationship with GPA and academic performance. Our findings reveal that approximately 51% of students exhibit social anxiety, with a significant association between lower GPA and higher levels of anxiety. The results suggest that fear of social evaluation contributes to academic distress, avoidance, and lower academic achievement, especially in students with lower GPAs.

Keywords: Social phobia, Social anxiety disorder, Prevalence, Medical students.

How to cite this article: Aijaz S, Alruweli RNA, Alanazi MA, Alanazi THD, Alenezi IOM, Alenezi ABN, Alenezi TMM, Alanazi AAS, Alali AOA, Aljabal RKM, The Impact of Fear of Negative Evaluation and Self Efficacy in Academic Performance among Low Achievers. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(5s): 171-180. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.5s.21