Social skills, paranoid thinking, and social outcomes among young adults

Although research indicates associations between social skills deficits and poor social outcomes (Deniz et al., 2005; Segrin, 1990), and such outcomes and paranoid thinking (Freeman et al., 2005), few studies have investigated links between social skills, paranoid thinking, and social outcomes. Undergraduate students (N = 182) completed self-report measures of paranoid thinking, social skills, loneliness, and social support. Paranoid thinking was positively associated with sensitivity to verbal messages of others and social norms; and negatively associated with social adeptness and confidence in social interaction. Social skill deficits and paranoid thinking independently predicted greater loneliness and fewer social supports, particularly deficits in overall social competence (multiple skills combined) rather than individual skills. Social skills are discussed as a target for treatment of social and psychological difficulties.