Communication Anxiety Research Articles

The Effect of Managers Communication Competency on the Increase of Employees Communication Anxiety Levels and a Literature Review

The Effect of Managers Communication Competency on the Increase of Employees Communication Anxiety Levels and a Literature Review

Komunikasi Interpersonal Dosen dan Mahasiswa Perguruan Tinggi Vokasi di Jurusan Teknik Mesin Politeknik Negeri Malang

This article analyzes the strategies and models of interpersonal communication of lecturers to students at vocational colleges of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malang State Polytechnic. The results of the study show that interpersonal communication strategies are carried out with dididic and triadic models. Meanwhile, the interpersonal communication model of lecturers and students uses an interactive model, where there is interdependence and active participation between lecturers and students. Communication anxiety, both chronic (trait apprehension) and situational (state apprehension), can be an obstacle in the interaction between lecturers and students, affecting participation, presentation quality, and students' ability to convey ideas clearly and confidently.

The Crucial Role of Teacher Support in Enhancing Willingness to Communicate, Professional, Communicative and Lexical Competences

Effective communication skills are essential in education as they significantly enhance student learning experiences and outcomes. This article explores the role of Willingness to Communicate (WTC) and communicative competence in language learning, emphasizing the importance of teacher support in fostering these competencies. Key factors influencing WTC, such as self-communicative competence, communication apprehension, and individual psychological traits, are discussed. The article highlights the pivotal role of teacher involvement, immediacy, and autonomy support in promoting student engagement, self-efficacy, and language proficiency. Furthermore, the development of lexical competence and the use of innovative teaching approaches, such as flipped classrooms and collaborative learning activities, are examined as effective strategies for improving communication skills. The article underscores the importance of creating supportive classroom environments that reduce communication anxiety and promote active participation. Ultimately, the integration of robust teacher support practices and ongoing professional development is critical for enhancing communicative competence and ensuring long-term academic and professional success for students.

Exploring College-Aged Student Anxiety: Aggravating Factors and Coping Strategies

<i>Undergraduate college-aged students are increasingly experiencing anxiety. Yet, many struggle to cope effectively, resulting in poor school performance and compromised health and well-being. Our goal was to identify common anxiety-inducing and aggravating stressors, as well as preferred adaptive coping strategies, in this exploratory study to inform anxiety intervention development. A total of 19 undergraduate students (17 female and 2 male) were recruited. Students previously diagnosed or treated for anxiety by a clinician participated in a two-week, daily diary entry study. A total of 219 diary entries were transcribed and thematically analyzed for student reports of awareness variables and associated coping responses. Data were compared and triangulated. Framed by cognitive-behavioral approaches to anxiety and the transactional theory of stress and coping, we identified five primary categories of anxiety-inducing or aggravating stressors: academic time management and performance, communication anxiety, competing life stressors, others’ presence and problems, and </i><i>generalized uncertainty. In addition, we found that students primarily utilized adaptive coping strategies, employing a mix of intrapersonal (e.g., alone time, breaks, hobbies/music, and staying productive) and interpersonal techniques (e.g., hanging out with and talking with friends and family). Findings highlight common anxiety stressors and demonstrate preferred and efficacious coping strategies employed by students, providing valuable insight into best practices for student well-being interventions beyond a clinical setting to manage anxiety and improve student well-being.</i>

Strategi Komunikasi Pekerja Migran Indonesia dalam Mengatasi Culture Shock Selama Bekerja di Jepang

This study aims to understand the communication strategies of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in overcoming culture shock while working in Japan. The research utilizes Anxiety Uncertainty Management Theory (AUM Theory) developed by Gudykunst to explain how PMI manage uncertainty and anxiety in cross-cultural communication. The AUM theory is elaborated with the concept of ABC's of Culture Shock by Ward Bochner and Furham to gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between cross-cultural communication and culture shock. The research method used is phenomenology. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with six PMI informants who have been working for at least two years in various companies in Japan. The results of the study show that PMI experience various forms of anxiety, including language anxiety, habit-related anxiety, and mindset-related anxiety. Workers manage this anxiety through three strategies: active, passive, and interactive. The active strategy involves continuously adapting to and appreciating Japanese culture. Firstly, the active strategy means that PMI actively seek information about Japanese culture through social media and study it. Secondly, the passive strategy involves self-motivation by understanding that the cultural surprises experienced are a consequence of their work. Lastly, the interactive strategy involves efforts to improve intercultural communication skills by joining Indonesian expatriate communities in Japan and being open to new values encountered while working in Japan.

Enhancing cross-cultural communication for Chinese tourists in non-native English-speaking destinations: a study of sociolinguistic competence and politeness challenges

Abstract The current study explores the sociolinguistic challenges experienced by Chinese tourists. The purposive sampling approach was applied for data collection to comprehend the respondents’ communication hurdles. Online and offline questionnaires were also distributed to accommodate senior travellers. A total of 964 valid responses were gathered, which reflected the increasing trend of outbound tourism among Chinese nationals. The present study employed sociolinguistic competence as a mediating variable (specifically, its interplay with intercultural communication anxiety and politeness) within the Communicative Competence Model (CCM) framework. Several strategies that consider the nuanced aspects of language and culture are also proposed. The findings can potentially enhance service standards in the tourism sector by improving Chinese visitors’ intercultural communication experiences in various international destinations.

Exploring opportunities and challenges in promoting interethnic tolerance as a social good through virtual influencers

Purpose This paper aims to understand how virtual influencers (VIs) can promote interethnic tolerance, online, among youth as a social good. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducted qualitative research using interpretive analysis with RTA (Reflexive Thematic Analysis) on data collected through focus groups. Findings This paper revealed that the quality of the VI’s content is a leading factor influencing VI's ability to promote interethnic tolerance, but creating content that is constantly authentic, appealing and inclusive to diverse ethnic groups in a particular context is challenging. Research limitations/implications The study has some limitations related to the specific context on which it is focused and therefore transferring the findings to different contextual conditions requires caution, and also can be extended with positivist validation. Practical implications Findings from our study can drive future projects where real VI artifacts will play the role of a mediator in building strong relational trust among youth belonging to different ethnic groups. The findings indicate that VIs can be effectively used to foster interethnic tolerance if involve diverse team members who understand the ethnic culture deeply and social media experts, to create high-quality content to overcome some limitations. Social implications VIs can be used as social interventions to promote interethnic tolerance and to reduce prejudices and anxiety in online youth communication. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no known studies investigated the potential of VIs for promoting interethnic tolerance among ethnically diverse youth groups. Hence, this study paves the way for further refinement on using cutting-edge technology for social good, since it is highly challenging, often resulting in wasted money.

Silencing Anxiety with Social Savvy: The Role of Interpersonal Intelligence in EFL Classrooms

Communication anxiety significantly hinders learning outcomes in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. This research explores the correlation between interpersonal intelligence and communication anxiety among high school students, assessing how variations in interpersonal skills influence anxiety levels during EFL interactions. Employing a quantitative approach, the study engaged 32 eleventh-grade students from class 11 MIPA 3 at SMA Mekar Arum, selected through random sampling. Data were collected using designed questionnaires to evaluate interpersonal intelligence and communication anxiety and analyzed with Pearson Product Moment Correlation via SPSS 22.0. The results indicated a significant negative correlation between interpersonal intelligence and communication anxiety (r= -0.494, p < 0.05), demonstrating that students with higher interpersonal intelligence experience lower communication anxiety. Notably, 65.6% of the students demonstrated medium levels of interpersonal intelligence, while 34.4% had high levels. In terms of communication anxiety, 56.3% of students experienced moderate levels, and 43.8% experienced high levels. Conclusively, this study underscores the importance of fostering interpersonal intelligence as a strategic approach to alleviate communication anxiety in EFL settings. It recommends that EFL instructors integrate group-based and interactive activities that enhance interpersonal relations among students to improve their educational experience and outcomes.

The Influence of EFL Apprehension in Speaking Performance

The influence of EFL apprehension on speaking performance is a significant area of study in language learning. Empirical studies reveal that anxiety among EFL students is influenced by variables such as communication anxiety, fear of receiving a poor grade, and low self-esteem. during speaking activities. Speech anxiety among ESL/EFL learners can impact their oral communication skills negatively, leading to avoidance and withdrawal from speaking activities in the classroom. Language anxiety, specifically related to speaking, can hinder students' willingness to engage in foreign language acquisition and affect their speaking performance negatively .Research have indicated a connection between EFL students' oral communication anxiety and communication proficiency,highlighting the importance of addressing anxiety to enhance language proficiency.

Communication anxiety as barrier: extending theory of planned behavior on student intention to participate in synchronous online learning

PurposeStudent in-class participation is a crucial aspect in the learning process, including in synchronous learning process. Several variables may hinder students from actively participating in synchronous learning including communication anxiety. As behavior, student in-class participation can be modeled using theory of planned behavior (TPB) with communication anxiety as barrier variable. The current study aims to investigate student decision-making process to actively participate in synchronous online learning using TPB frameworks and examine the effect of communication anxiety as part of extended TPB.Design/methodology/approachThis was quantitative nonexperimental research conducted by gathering cross-sectional data through electronic survey. A total of 1,009 Indonesian college students voluntarily participate in the survey. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and test the hypothesis.FindingsThe results indicate that there was significant and positive effect between TPB-related variables: (1) attitude, (2) subjective norms, (3) behavioral control, (4) intention and (5) behavior. Communication anxiety, as an additional variable in the extended model, shows significant and negative effects on behavioral control and active participation behavior. However, the communication anxiety indicates insignificant effect on students’ intention to participate in online synchronous learning. The findings support the evidence that students’ intention to actively participate in synchronous learning can be described using TPB and communication anxiety hinders student to actively participate in synchronous learning.Originality/valueThe paper extends TPB on student active participation. Prior research limited to original theory of planned behavior (TPB) on student in-class and massive open online course (MOOC) participations, whereas the current research includes communication anxiety as additional variable on extended TPB to understand students’ intention to actively participate in synchronous online learning.

Undergraduate Students’ Willingness to Communicate in English during Remote Learning Classes

Objectives: This study examines Jordanian undergraduate students’ willingness to communicate (WTC) in English during remote learning. Methods: The data were collected using a 61-item Likert scale questionnaire from 285 undergraduate students (118 males and 167 females) studying English at a public university. All the responses collected were analysed using descriptive analysis (e.g., mean, standard deviation) and Pearson’s Correlation coefficient. Results: The results of the descriptive analysis showed that students had an overall moderate level of online experiences (M 2.98, SD 0.98), and high levels of WTC (M= 3.61, SD= 0.969), self-perceived communicative competence (M=3.62, SD=1.038), L2 communication anxiety (M=2.91, SD=1.156) and virtual intercultural experience motivation (M=3.5, SD=1.111). On the other hand, the results of the 2-tailed correlation revealed that there was a statistically medium-positive correlation between students’ online experiences and their WTC in online classes (r=.359, p<.001), a strong positive correlation between students’ self-perceived communicative competence and their WTC in online classes (r=.664, p<.001), an insignificant low positive correlation between L2 communication anxiety and their WTC in online classes (r =.031, p < .605), a strong positive correlation between students’ virtual intercultural experience motivation and their WTC in online classes (r = .535, p<.001). Conclusions: The study shows that despite the lack of experience in e-learning, the students tend to have good self-perceived communicative competence. Pedagogical implications and suggestions for future studies are given based on the results of the study.

An initial test of a new self-guided internet-based intervention for social anxiety: iExposure

ABSTRACT Social anxiety is a prevalent mental health concern that impacts approximately 12% of the US population. There is a need for targeted mechanism-focused interventions for social anxiety that are also highly scalable. Using a recently developed naturalistic paradigm with simulated teleconferencing interactions as the central treatment element, we developed a new self-guided internet-based intervention for social anxiety called iExposure. This randomized clinical trial aimed at testing two mechanism-driven exposure augmentation strategies for social anxiety. Participants (N = 53) were randomized to four sessions of either (a) standard iExposure (n = 18), (b) iExposure +Attention Control (n = 22), or (c) iExposure + Attention Guidance (n = 13) and administered over two weeks. At follow-up across conditions, there were large reductions in communication anxiety d = -1.51 and moderate reductions in social anxiety d = -0.60. The attention control condition led to larger reductions in social anxiety compared to standard iExposure d = -0.81 and attention guidance did not enhance iExposure for general symptoms of social anxiety, d = -0.27. These findings provide preliminary support for the utility of iExposure. Further research is needed with a larger sample to understand its efficacy with regard to the role of attention augmentation strategies.

Understanding Course Success in Mandated Online Learning: The Role of Computer and Computer- Mediated Communication Anxiety

Understanding Course Success in Mandated Online Learning: The Role of Computer and Computer- Mediated Communication Anxiety

The Influence of Grammatical and Competition on Communication Anxiety of Students of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program, Wisnuwardhana University, Malang

In general, it is found that several students experience difficulties in pronouncing the language, do not dare to speak firmly, and seem to have difficulty with the grammatical meaning of what is said. The problem is a lack of understanding of grammatical meaning and competition at his age, sometimes appearing nervous, worried, feeling shy, tense, avoiding face-to-face and anxious when communicating. The student's condition needs to be studied with the aim of finding out the extent of the difficulties they are experiencing to be used to solve the problem. There were 87 students participating in the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at Wisnuwardhana University Malang, using a population study sampling technique. Quantitative research methods using competitive, grammatical and communication anxiety scales have been tested for validity with Moment Products, and reliability with Cronbach's Alpha, the results are valid and reliable. The results of data analysis using ANOVA show that the sig 0.161 is not significant because the result is > 0.05, meaning that communication anxiety is not only influenced by grammar and competition but can also be influenced by other aspects.

Strategies for Reducing Anxiety in EFL Classroom: An Academic Review

Anxiety is a significant issue in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms, impacting learners' performance and overall language acquisition. This theoretical review examines recent research findings and effective techniques for reducing anxiety in EFL settings. Drawing on qualitative methodologies and empirical studies from the past five years, the review highlights various factors contributing to anxiety, including low self-esteem, fear of mistakes, and pressure from peers and teachers. The Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) emerges as a valuable tool for measuring anxiety, focusing on exam anxiety, communication anxiety, and fear of poor grades. The review identifies several strategies to alleviate anxiety, such as creating a supportive environment, delaying error correction, providing ample speaking practice opportunities, and incorporating relaxation techniques. Additionally, interventions like game-based learning, music instruction, and cooperative learning activities demonstrate promise in reducing anxiety and enhancing motivation among EFL learners. The review underscores the pivotal role of teachers in mitigating anxiety by offering effective feedback, facilitating speaking practice, and fostering a welcoming classroom environment conducive to language acquisition. Ultimately, the review emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing anxiety to promote successful language learning outcomes in EFL classrooms.

A Study of Coping Strategies for Overseas Students Speaking Anxiety in Cross-Cultural Contexts

This study aims to explore the problem of speaking anxiety faced by overseas students in cross-cultural context and their coping strategies. By using questionnaires and in-depth interviews, the phenomenon of speaking anxiety and its countermeasures were studied in 200 international students. The results show that international students speaking anxiety mainly stems from the lack of confidence in language ability, the fear of failure, and the differences with the native culture. Coping strategies include active participation in language practice, seeking social and psychological support, and developing intercultural adaptability. This study not only reveals the complexity of speaking anxiety in intercultural communication, but also provides educators and international students with targeted strategies to reduce speaking anxiety and promote language learning.

The effects of loving-kindness meditation on doctors’ communication anxiety, trust, calling and defensive medicine practice

ObjectiveThe study investigated the effects of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on doctors’ communication anxiety, trust, calling, and defensive medicine practice.MethodsThis study recruited 94 doctors from a hospital in China, randomized them to an LKM group (n = 47), and waited for the control group (n = 47). The experimental group accepted an 8-week LKM interference while the waiting for the control group underwent no interference. Researchers measured four major variable factors (communication anxiety, trust, calling, and defensive medicine practice) before and after the LKM intervention.ResultsIn the experimental group, trust, and calling were significantly higher, and communication anxiety, and defensive medicine practice were significantly lower than in the control group. In the control group, there were no noticeable differences in any of the four variables between the pre-test and post-test.ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that LKM may help to improve trust, and calling, and reduce communication anxiety and defensive medicine practice. The finding of LKM’s effect extends the understanding of the integrative effects of positive psychology on the decrease of defensive medicine practice.Trial registrationChiCTR2300074568. Registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), 9 August, 2023.

Psychological mechanism and cognitive basis of humorous speech

To more clearly present the psychological mechanism and cognitive basis of humorous speech, this study measured college students using various scales, discussed the role of humorous coping in resolving their social anxiety and regulating their mental health, and attempted to construct a cognitive symbol working model from three dimensions: theory of innocence, modern semiotics, and conceptual integration theory. We used the proposed model to present the psychological mechanism and cognitive basis of humorous speech. This study found that humor coping is positively correlated with college students’ social anxiety, which is positively correlated with mental health. Affinity humor style and humor coping can positively predict college students’ communication anxiety, but affinity humor style has better predictive power. This research held that relevance is the general principle of communicative cognition and has become a space of conceptual synthesis network. The combination of conceptual fusion and deviation theory with conventional theory can help us better understand verbal humor and reveal its cognitive basis. There is a close relationship between humorous language and human psychological mechanisms. Finally, there is also a clear relationship between different psychological mechanisms and the structure of humorous language.

Exploring the relationship between perceptual learning style preferences (PLSP) and foreign language class anxiety (FLCA)

The study investigating a relationship between perceptual learning style preferences (PLSP) and foreign language class anxiety (FLCA) remains limited, particularly regarding specific learning styles most impacted by FLCA and interventions to be tailored to reduce English class anxiety. The study examined the relationship between PLSP and FLCA among 110 grade eleven Mettu Comprehensive High School students. The study employed a PLSP questionnaire (Pashler et al., 2009) and an FLCA questionnaire (Horwitz et al., 1986) as the instruments. Data were collected, statistically analyzed, and interpreted using SPSS version 26. The study’s findings revealed that most participants' FLCA fell to the average higher level while those with group (PLSA-G) PLSP exhibited the least FLCA compared to participants with the individual (PLS-I) with the highest FLCA among the six dimensions of PLSP. Communication anxiety (FLCA-CA) significantly and fear of negative evaluation (FLCA-FNE) broadly were found to be the major sources of the participants’ sources of FLCA among its three dimensions in the scale. Furthermore, results of One-way ANOVA confirmed that PLSP is significantly and moderately related to FLCA. It was inferred that the constructs PLSP and FLCA play significant roles in the context of EFL teaching. Therefore, EFL instruction needs to address these variables as determinants of the learners’ success, and if meaningful pedagogical room is to be allocated, teaching practices need to pay attention to such. This area of exploration can lead to significant advancements in EFL pedagogy, creating a more inclusive and successful learning experience for students.

Relationships among Willingness to Communicate, Self-Perceived Communication Competence and Communication Anxiety

This study investigated the relationships among L2 communicative willingness (WTC), self-perceived communicative competence (SPCC), and communication anxiety (CA) of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners in northwestern China. 71 English majors participated in the study and 10 of them also took part in the structured interview. The results indicated that: (1) SPCC had a positive correlation with WTC and negative correlation with CA while CA showed a negative relationship with WTC and SPCC; (2) SPCC held a positive predictive power on WTC. Both qualitative and quantitative results of the study showed that students with high SPCC also had strong WTC and low CA. Students with high CA had relatively low WTC and SPCC. Based on the current findings, some practical implications about enhancing EFL learners’ willingness to communicate were discussed.