In psychological terms, what does “shyness” correlate with when referenced alongside "low self-esteem"?

Shyness and low self-esteem are often understood to be related in a psychological context, with a negative correlation indicating that as one factor increases, the other tends to decrease. Individuals who experience higher levels of shyness frequently struggle with feelings of low self-worth, leading to a cycle where shyness hinders social interaction and reinforces feelings of inadequacy.

This correlation suggests that those who are shy may avoid social situations, leading to fewer opportunities for positive social feedback that could boost their self-esteem. Conversely, those with higher self-esteem are generally more confident in social settings, which can mitigate feelings of shyness. In this way, the negative correlation underscores the intertwined nature of these two constructs, highlighting how one can influence the other adversely.