ANXIETY AND HOPELESSNESS IN TWO SOUTH PACIFIC COUNTRIES: EXPLORATORY STUDIES

Abstract

The presence of anxiety and hopelessness amongst the general population in the developing countries of the South Pacific region has not yet been empirically investigated. This study had 2 aims. Firstly, it predicted the presence of less severe anxiety and hopelessness in the nonclinical population within a sample from two South Pacific countries. Secondly, it predicted a positive relationship between anxiety and hopelessness. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were administered to 45 Fijian employees in various organizations (Study One), and to 92 Papua New Guinean undergraduate university students (Study Two). The results derived from both studies showed that there was not a severe degree of anxiety or hopelessness within either group. The t tests revealed no significant differences for either anxiety or hopelessness between Fijian and Papua New Guinean groups. There were significant positive correlations between anxiety and hopelessness in both studies. The findings support the general trend of data as reported by earlier studies elsewhere. The cross-cultural and cultural importance of differences in expression of emotional symptoms are discussed in relation to the findings, and the limitations of the study are highlighted, and suggestions for future research are made.