Individual Anxiety Levels Research Articles

Stress and anxiety in schools: a multilevel analysis of individual and class-level effects of achievement and competitiveness

Stress and anxiety are commonly experienced by students in schools. Both phenomena are mutually dependent and associated with various negative outcomes. A range of variables have been addressed when explaining the development of stress and anxiety and the need to consider classroom-level effects becomes clear. So far, the effects of individual as well as classroom-level competitiveness on stress and anxiety have not been focused. This study aims to address this research gap and examines associations between achievement, competitiveness, stress and anxiety. Therefore, cross-sectional self-reports of 591 students from 10 secondary schools in Germany were collected using a paper-pencil-questionnaire in regular classrooms and analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. The results highlight the relevance of achievement and competitiveness for the experience of anxiety and stress of students. Academic achievement on individual and class level were related to individual and classroom levels of stress and anxiety. Similarly, competitiveness on both levels was positively associated with the experiences of stress and anxiety. Consequently, the study highlights the relevance of achievement and competitiveness for the experience of anxiety and stress of students and emphasizes a need for adequate educational support.

Oral health-related quality of life and levels of anxiety and depression in individuals with oral potentially malignant disorders

Objectives: To evaluate oral health-related quality of life and possible correlations with anxiety and depression in patients with oral potentially malignant disorders. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a reference center for oral lesions in the interior of the state of Bahia from February 2022 to January 2023, using the questionnaires Oral Health Impact Profile-14, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results: There was a slight change in the oral health-related quality of life of individuals in the sample, with a prevalence of responses to psychological discomfort, psychological incapacity, and physical pain domains. In addition, 39.7% and 17.9% of patients were identified as likely having generalized anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. When relating the levels of anxiety and depression with the perception of oral health-related quality of life, a positive correlation was found (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Patients with oral potentially malignant disorders showed a slight change in oral health-related quality of life. However, there was a positive correlation between the perception of oral health-related quality of life and levels of anxiety and depression.

Coming Back to Campus: Factors Contributing Post-COVID-19 Adjustment of University Students

The transition to face-to-face education after COVID-19 has brought along new changes that need to be adapted for students. This study aims to reveal how the state anxiety levels of individuals predict life satisfaction through the adjustment to university life after post-COVID face-to-face education. Besides, the differences in anxiety, life satisfaction, and university adjustment in 2nd and 3rd-graders were tested. The study group consists of 263 university students. Data were collected through The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Adjustment to University Life Scale, and The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Independent groups t-test was used to test whether the scores differed at the grade level, and Structural Equation Modelling was used to test the hypothesized model. Research findings indicate that there is no difference between the levels of state anxiety, life satisfaction, and adjustment to university life of second and third-year students. In other words, there is no significant difference between students who started university face-to-face and online in terms of relevant variables after the pandemic. According to the structural equation modeling findings, state anxiety is a significant predictor of life satisfaction through adaptation to university life. The model-data fit was found to be good and the indirect effects were statistically significant. The findings were discussed in line with the relevant literature. Based on the findings of the present study, a focus on university adaptation programs and interventions can be recommended after possible crises in the future.

Spiritual Well-Being Levels, Severity of Disease and Mental Health Status of Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of spiritual well-being levels on disease severity, depression, anxiety and stress levels of individuals diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Method: This descriptive study was carried out with 192 individuals diagnosed with COPD who were treated in the chest disease service of a training and research hospital between April and December 2022. Data was obtained using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: Among all patients, 82.3% of the individuals experienced depression, 57.3% anxiety and 79.2% stress symptoms. There was a very weakly negative correlation between the mean FACIT-Sp-12 total score and the mean CAT total score, a moderately negative correlation between the mean FACIT-Sp-12 total score and the mean DASS-21 total score, and a weakly positive correlation between the mean CAT total score and the mean DASS-21 total score. Spiritual well-being was found to predict severity of illness by 0.48%, depression levels by 41.2%, anxiety levels by 0.56% and stress levels by 20.4%. Conclusion: Holistic care should be provided to COPD patients, considering the positive effect of spirituality on disease severity and mental states during the treatment and care process of the patient.

Assessing the Fear of Covid-19 in Psychiatric Patients: Results from an Italian Multicentric Study.

Even though the COVID-19 emergency has concluded, its consequences are still relevant. Recent evidence suggests that a significant proportion of individuals experience persistent symptoms long after the initial infection has resolved, classified as "Long COVID" condition. Fear of COVID-19 increases anxiety and stress levels in healthy individuals and exacerbates the symptoms of those with pre-existing psychiatric disorders; therefore understanding the impact of the pandemic on psychiatric disorders remains of utmost importance. The present study aimed at assessing the prevalence and predictive factors of fear of COVID-19 in a sample of patients with different psychiatric conditions. A sample of 269 psychiatric patients were recruited from two different tertiary clinics in Italy and assessed with the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). In order to compare patients with a significant fear of COVID-19 or without (Fear+ vs. Fear-) and to identify the main features in terms of clinical dimension, exploratory and predictive analysis were performed. Female gender, age at illness onset, and insight levels emerged as positive predictors of FCV-19S. Conversely, current substance abuse emerged as a negative predictor of fear levels. Moreover, significantly lower FCV-19S scores were observed in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Specific sociodemographic and clinical factors predicted higher levels of fear of COVID-19 in psychiatric patients. Further studies are warranted to determine the potential long-term consequences of the COVID-19 impact on mental health.

The Effect of Nomophobıa on Anxıety and Qualıty of Lıfe in Physıotherapy and Rehabılıtatıon Department Students

Objective. While smartphones provide convenience to individuals, they also cause many problems. One of these problems is smartphone addiction, known as nomophobia. The aim of our study is to investigate the impact of nomophobia on anxiety and quality of life among students in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.. Methods. The study included 211 students enrolled at Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Participants completed a data collection form to provide their demographic characteristics. They also completed the Turkish Nomophobia Scale to assess nomophobia levels, the Beck Anxiety Scale to evaluate anxiety levels, and the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale to measure their quality of life levels. Results. In our study, the nomophobia scale score was found to be 77.28. The distribution of the nomophobia scale according to the cut-off points is 30% mild, 45% moderate, and 25% extreme. We identified a statistically significant relationship between nomophobia and anxiety (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a statistically significant association between nomophobia and quality of life parameters, excluding vitality/energy, mental health, and social functioning (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant relationship was found between anxiety and quality of life. Conclusion. The anxiety levels of nomophobic individuals increase in parallel with their nomophobia, leading to a decrease in their quality of life. Necessary information should be provided and awareness should be raised in order to prevent nomophobia, which is especially common in the young population.

The Evolution of Social Anxiety: Tests of Two Theories

Social anxiety, the psychological state of showing fear and avoidance in social situations, remains prevalent in modern society. The research in this article is based on the theoretical background of social threat, which states that people in group life need social anxiety to avoid potential threats that may affect social status or accessible social resources. The prediction of the article is that Social Rank Theory and Social Bonds Theory can be successfully tested, with one relating to social hierarchies in which people maintain their social status by avoiding conflict and maintaining a positive image through social anxiety, while the other states that social anxiety can help maintain existing social bonds. The experiment tests whether the loss of social status and social bonds produces social anxiety. By setting up scenarios and collecting data about participants’ individual levels of social anxiety, it will eventually be possible to conclude how the potential threats present in the different scenarios affect people’s anxiety levels, and whether the possible experimental results can test the two theories.

Hypnotherapy Technique to Reduce Anxiety Levels in Elderly with Hypertension

Background: One of the non-pharmacological intervention that can be used is hypnotherapy. This intervention uses suggestions that will relax the client's condition so that the brain produces the hormones serotonin, endorpine, and activation of autonomic nerve responses. At the same time the neuroendocrine system will also lower levels of cortisol, glucocorticoids, gonadocorticoids, epinephrine, norepinephrine and will act directly on the alpha androgenic receptors of vascular smooth muscle, thus causing vasodilation of blood vessels, lowering total peripheral pressure and decreasing blood pressure, pulse, and breathing. Objectives: This study is to determine the effect of hypnotherapy techniques on reducing anxiety levels in elderly families with hypertension at RT 10/RW 05 Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. Methods: This study employed a quantitative pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-test post-test approach to examine the effect of an intervention on anxiety levels in elderly individuals with hypertension. The study population consisted of 39 elderly individuals, with 15 participants meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were collected in 2023, and the sample was selected using total sampling, consisting of 9 women and 6 men. Participants were observed before and after the intervention to assess changes in anxiety levels. Results: This study showed that after being given hypnotherapy technique treatment, the majority experienced a decrease in anxiety levels, namely mild anxiety as many as 11 elderly (73.3%) and respondents who experienced moderate anxiety as many as 4 elderly (46.7%) Conclusion: The majority of elderly individuals with hypertension experienced severe anxiety before receiving hypnosis techniques. After the application of hypnosis, most experienced a reduction in anxiety to mild levels. This demonstrates that hypnosis techniques have a significant effect in reducing anxiety levels in elderly individuals with hypertension

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with In Vivo Exposure on Anxiety Levels in Elderly Stroke Patients

Background: Stroke is a serious condition that can have a significant psychological impact on patients, including anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy that can influence attitudes and behaviors as well as cognitive changes, resulting in the desired attitude changes. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the effect of CBT on anxiety levels in elderly individuals diagnosed with stroke. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group design. The sample consisted of 36 elderly stroke patients. The analysis in this study used the dependent T-Test. Results: The average anxiety level decreased by 14.89, and the statistical test results showed a P-Value of 0.000, indicating that the intervention had a significant effect. Conclusion: This study concludes that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) using in vivo exposure techniques is significantly effective in reducing anxiety levels in the intervention group compared to the control group. Although there are other influencing variables such as education, these variables are not statistically significant.

Effective Yoga Asanas For Reducing Anxiety Symptoms After COVID-19

The purpose of the study was to find the effect of specific yoga asanas on the anxiety levels of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. A total of 25 recovered COVID-19 patients, both male and female, aged 18 years and older, experiencing mild to severe anxiety were selected as subjects based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) was administered to evaluate the anxiety levels of the individuals. A statistical technique of descriptive and paired sample t test was employed and tested at a 0.05 level of confidence. The finding showed a statistically significant difference in the before and after intervention program on anxiety levels

Turkish adaptation of the state-trait anxiety inventory short version (STAIS-5, STAIT-5).

This study examines the validity and reliability of a Turkish version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Short Version. The sample consisted of 306 people between the ages of 18-59 who agreed to participate in the study and met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected with the demographic questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Short Version, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale. All factor loadings of the State Anxiety Inventory Short Version were between 0.706 and 0.835, and those of the Trait Anxiety Inventory Short Version were between 0.694 and 0.810. The Cronbach alpha coefficients of the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory Short Version were calculated as 0.838 and 0.837, respectively. There was a significant difference between the first-test and retest values of the State Anxiety Inventory Short Version (p = 0.033) and no difference in the Trait Anxiety Inventory Short Version (p = 0.145). The Turkish-adapted State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Short Version is a valid and reliable measurement tool to determine the anxiety levels of individuals aged 18-59.

The Effect on Exercise Addiction and Anxiety Levels in Breathing Exercises in Bodybuilding Athletes

Abstract Exercise is considered a promising and emerging treatment for individuals recovering from addiction. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of breathing exercises on exercise addiction and anxiety levels in bodybuilding athletes. The population of the research consisted of 20 test subjects and 20 control volunteers, male and female participants, who exercised in the fitness center of the Asis sports complex located at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University in Van province. Breathing exercises were performed on the subject group for 40 minutes, 2 days a week for 10 weeks. The survey was measured twice in total for the subject and control groups, before the exercise program and at the end of the exercise program. Personal information form, Exercise Addiction Scale (EAS) and Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS) were used as data collection tools in the study. To find the relationship between breathing exercises and exercise addiction and anxiety levels, Shapiro-Wilk analysis was tested and T-test was used to compare two independent groups since normal distribution was detected. When we look at the control group, there was only a difference in the comparison of exercise addiction results, while in the experimental group, a significant difference was found between the performance of breathing exercises and the comparison of exercise addiction and anxiety results. It can be said that breathing exercises reduce exercise addiction and anxiety levels in individuals doing bodybuilding sports. It is very important to maintain balance and have a healthy approach when exercising. In order to benefit from the benefits of exercise to the maximum extent, personalized programs should be prepared and implemented under expert guidance. It may be recommended that Breathing Exercise studies be applied to other sports branches as well. Keywords: Bodybuilding Athletes, Breathing Exercises, Exercise Addiction, Anxiety

The Psychological Impact of Climate Change: Anxiety, Stress, and Coping Mechanisms

Climate change has emerged as a critical global issue, with significant impacts extending beyond environmental and economic spheres to affect psychological well-being. This study employs a mixed-methods research design to investigate the psychological impact of climate change, specifically focusing on anxiety, stress, and coping mechanisms. Utilizing both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, the research examines the prevalence and intensity of climate-related anxiety and stress and explores the coping strategies individuals employ. The findings reveal moderate to high levels of anxiety and stress among participants, with notable demographic variations, such as higher levels of anxiety in younger individuals and greater stress among women and those with lower socioeconomic status. Adaptive coping mechanisms, such as environmental activism and mindfulness practices, were identified as effective, while maladaptive strategies like avoidance and denial were also prevalent. The study underscores the need for targeted mental health interventions and public health policies that integrate mental health support into climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Promoting adaptive coping mechanisms and addressing maladaptive behaviors are crucial for enhancing resilience and mental well-being in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Health Anxiety and Cyberchondria in Obese Cases

Objective: Obesity is a condition that can lead to many serious health problems, and the relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria can cause increased levels of health-related anxiety in obese individuals, consequently reducing their quality of life. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria levels in obese individuals. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between 15 July and 21 November 2022. The sample of the study consisted of 389 obese individuals with BMI>30 who applied to the obesity centre of a university hospital. Descriptive Information Form, Health Anxiety Inventory and Cyberchondria Severity Scale were used in the study. Results: The total score of the participants in this study was 21.87± 9.70 on the Health Anxiety Scale and 81.37± 20.11 on the Cyberchondria Severity Scale. A significant positive correlation was found between health anxiety and cyberchondria levels. In addition, regression analysis showed that cyberchondria predicted 14% of health anxiety. Conclusion: Nurses working in the field of public health and mental health need to understand health anxiety and cyberchondria in order to identify attitudes and behaviors that may occur in obese individuals in physical, social and mental areas and to apply nursing interventions when necessary.

Non-Pharmacological Psychotropic Measures for Surgery Under Local Anaesthesia

Purpose surgery under local anaesthesia can be a stressful experience for patients. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of a non-pharmacological psychotropic measures (NPTM) on the anxiety and stress levels of individuals undergoing ophthalmic surgery. This is the first study to use a bilateral haptic NPTM for this purpose. Methods In this clinical interventional case-control study, we assessed objective and subjective stress parameters immediately pre- and postoperatively. We randomly assigned patients to one of two groups: an intervention group with NPTM (n = 70) and a control group (n = 68). Results When comparing objective parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, and sweat secretion), there were no significant differences between the two groups pre- and postoperatively (p ≥ 0.05). Subjectively, 79% of patients in the intervention group perceived a positive effect from the NPTM (p < 0.01). Patients undergoing eye surgery for the first time described a positive effect significantly more often (p = 0.027). Conclusions Our study results show that subjectively perceived anxiety and stress during eye surgery is significantly improved by using a bimanual NPTM. The majority of the patients experienced a positive effect on their wellbeing, particularly those undergoing eye surgery for the first time, although there was also a positive effect for patients who had previously undergone eye surgery. While the haptic NPTM used in this study has a positive impact on patients’ perception of ophthalmic surgery, all patients undergoing surgery under local anaesthesia may benefit from this approach.

Anxiety in Healthy Subjects Participating in 7T Examinations—Longitudinal Study

Anxiety before an MRI examination is common, even though the technique is noninvasive and painless. In a 7T MRI study, healthy volunteers also reported anxiety before the examination. This study aimed to assess anxiety levels in healthy individuals undergoing 7T MRI and to determine if their anxiety decreased during subsequent examinations. Participants filled out a questionnaire on anxiety. Eleven questions were compared between the first and second examinations using a paired t-test. Results show that significantly more participants felt worried before the first examination compared with the second. However, more participants felt tense after the second examination. Participants felt better informed before the second examination, but more felt fine after the first one. Six participants (14%) felt nervous about the second examination despite having completed the first one. This study reveals that healthy participants still experience anxiety even after a prior MR examination. However, most participants felt retrospectively that their anxiety was unnecessary. This study suggests that providing more information may help reduce anxiety among healthy volunteers in research studies.

The relationship between psychological well-being with levels of anxiety, COVID-19 fear and depression in individuals hospitalized with COVID-19

Introduction and aim. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected both the physical and mental health of societies. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between psychological well-being with levels of anxiety, COVID-19 fear, and depression in individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Material and methods. This descriptive correlative study was conducted with 685 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 treated in the clinics of a pandemic hospital. The data of the study were collected with the information form, psychological well-being scale (PWBS), COVID-19 fear scale (FCV-19S), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Results. The mean PWBS score of the participants was 37.21±14.3, the FCV-19S score was 20.10±10.41, the HADS-anxiety score was 9.07±7.29, and the depression score was 10.74±7.35. The PWBS scores with FCV-19S scores of the participants, HADS-anxiety, and HADS-depression scores were found to be negatively correlated (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion. In conclusion, as the anxiety, fear, and depression levels experienced by individuals receiving inpatient treatment in a pandemic hospital due to COVID-19 increase, their psychological well-being levels decrease at a statistically significant level. It may be recommended to intervene in the anxiety, fear, and depressive symptoms of individuals receiving inpatient treatment due to a diagnosis of COVID-19 to increase their psychological well-being.

Topographically selective motor inhibition under threat of pain.

Pain-related motor adaptations may be enacted predictively at the mere threat of pain, before pain occurrence. Yet, in humans, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor adaptations in anticipation of pain remain poorly understood. We tracked the evolution of changes in corticospinal excitability (CSE) as healthy adults learned to anticipate the occurrence of lateralized, muscle-specific pain to the upper limb. Using a Pavlovian threat conditioning task, different visual stimuli predicted pain to the right or left forearm (experiment 1) or hand (experiment 2). During stimuli presentation before pain occurrence, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied over the left primary motor cortex to probe CSE and elicit motor evoked potentials from target right forearm and hand muscles. The correlation between participants' trait anxiety and CSE was also assessed. Results showed that threat of pain triggered corticospinal inhibition specifically in the limb where pain was expected. In addition, corticospinal inhibition was modulated relative to the threatened muscle, with threat of pain to the forearm inhibiting the forearm and hand muscles, whereas threat of pain to the hand inhibited the hand muscle only. Finally, stronger corticospinal inhibition correlated with greater trait anxiety. These results advance the mechanistic understanding of pain processes showing that pain-related motor adaptations are enacted at the mere threat of pain, as sets of anticipatory, topographically organized motor changes that are associated with the expected pain and are shaped by individual anxiety levels. Including such anticipatory motor changes into models of pain may lead to new treatments for pain-related disorders.

Investigating the Relationship Between Individual Innovativeness and Programming Anxiety

This study investigates the levels of anxiety among university students regarding programming and examines the factors influencing this anxiety. The research explores the relationships between students’ characteristics such as, risk-taking, leadership qualities, openness to experience, and resistance to change with their programming anxiety. The study’s participants were 427 university students who had undergone programming education prior to 2023. Individual innovativeness and programming concerns of the research participants were analyzed primarily with descriptive statistical methods. Afterwards, the relationships between the sub-dimensions of individual innovativeness and levels of programming anxiety were investigated using relational screening models. Results indicate a slight positive correlation between reluctance towards change and receptiveness to new experiences with programming anxiety, whereas a modest negative correlation is observed between willingness to take risks and leadership qualities. The combination of these factors moderately and significantly predicts students’ levels of programming anxiety. The research offers valuable perspectives for educators and developers of programs seeking to create methods to ease the anxiety students face in programming education.

Stacked artificial neural network to predict the mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The individual's mental health crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic lead to mental disorders. The transmission of the COVID-19 virus is associated with the levels of anxiety, stress, and depression in individuals, similar to other factors. Increases in mental illness cases and the prevalence of depression have peaked after the pandemic struck. The limited social intervention, reduced communication, peer support, and increased social isolation during the pandemic resulted in higher levels of depression, stress, and anxiety which leads to mental illness. Physiological distress is associated with the mental disorders, and its negative impact can be improved mainly by early detection and treatment. Early identification of mental illness is crucial for timely intervention to decelerate disorder severity and lessen individual health burdens. Laboratory tests for diagnosing mental illness depend on the self-reports of one's mental status, but it is labor intensive and time consuming. Traditional methods like linear or nonlinear regression cannot include many explanatory variables as they are prone to overfitting. The main challenge of the state-of-the-art models is the poor performance in detecting mental illnesses at early stages. Deep learning models can handle numerous variables. The current study focuses on demographic background, Kessler Psychological Distress, Happiness, and Health determinants of mental health during the pandemic to predict the mental health. This study's prediction can help rapid diagnosis and treatment and promote overall public mental health. Despite potential response bias, these proportions are exceptionally elevated, and it's plausible that certain individuals face an even higher level of risk. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, an investigation into mental health patients revealed a disproportionate representation of children and individuals with neurotic disorders among those articulating substantial or severe apprehensions.