Tel Aviv, Jan. 12 -- A new study finds that people with social anxiety may feel less stressed and perform better in social situations when they believe first impressions are hard to change, Israel's Bar-Ilan University announced. The finding challenges a long-standing assumption in psychology that thinking people can always improve how others see them, is healthier in every case.

Social anxiety is a widespread condition marked by intense discomfort in social settings and persistent worry about being judged. For years, research has suggested that believing impressions can change encourages self-improvement. But researchers at Bar-Ilan University found that for people with high social anxiety, this belief can increase pressure and mental s...