HUBUNGAN ANTARA HARGA DIRI DAN KECEMASAN SOSIAL PADA GEN Z YANG BERMAIN GAME ONLINE

The rapid development of digital technology has made online gaming one of the primary forms of social interaction among Generation Z. In addition to serving as a source of entertainment, online games also carry the risk of generating psychological pressure, such as social anxiety. The competitive nature of interactions and the presence of evaluations from other players can influence how individuals perceive themselves. This study aims to examine the relationship between self-esteem and social anxiety among Generation Z who play online games. The method used was a quantitative approach with a correlational design. This study involved 176 respondents aged 15–28 years, consisting of 72 males and 104 females, selected using accidental sampling techniques. Data were collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Social Anxiety Scale, and then analyzed using Pearson correlation. The results showed a significant negative relationship between self-esteem and social anxiety (r = -0.519; p < 0.001). This indicates that higher self-esteem is associated with lower levels of social anxiety, and vice versa.