Glossophobia: connections to some psychological and demographic factors among university students

Front Psychiatry. 2026 Oct 30;17:1883250. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1883250. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Glossophobia is a condition that negatively impacts a university student’s ability to speak in front of an audience. This study examined the connections among college students’ motivation, self-efficacy, and glossophobia. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational and comparative design was used with 126 university students. As data-gathering tools, the scales used were the Glossophobia Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale, and Motivation Scale. The findings showed significant negative associations between glossophobia and both self-efficacy and motivation. No significant association was found between age and glossophobia. No significant gender differences were found in glossophobia. The investigation results show that most students are frightened of being teased and laughed at. They also worry that speaking in front of an audience may repeat earlier bad experiences.

PMID:43031703 | PMC:PMC13759827 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1883250