Higher State Anxiety Research Articles

Stress, anxiety, self-efficacy, and the meanings that physical therapy students attribute to their experience with an objective structured clinical examination

BackgroundExcessive stress and anxiety can impair learning. The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a valuable tool to assess and promote the acquisition of clinical skills. However, significant OSCE-related stress and anxiety are frequently reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between physiological stress, self-reported levels of anxiety due to an OSCE, self-efficacy, and the meanings that physical therapy students attribute to their experience with the exam.DesignConcurrent mixed methods study.MethodsA total of 32 students took part in this study. All were enrolled in the third semester of a 10-semester Physical Therapy Bachelor Program. Salivary cortisol levels, self-reported anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI) were measured before the OSCE. Exam scores and self-efficacy ratings were also recorded. Correlations between variables were tested with the Pearson correlation, with ɑ at 0.05. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the personal perspectives of students. Thematic analysis was used to investigate emergent themes.ResultsTrait anxiety scores were significantly higher than normative values (p < 0.001). A high proportion of students showed high (STAI> 49) state anxiety (37.5%) and trait anxiety (65.6%). Salivary cortisol was not associated anxiety (p > 0.05). Neither stress nor anxiety correlated with OSCE scores. A moderate and significant direct correlation was found for self-efficacy scores and OSCE scores (r = 0.475, p = 0.007). Students reported that confidence had a calming effect and led to better self-perceived performance. They also reported that the OSCE can provide meaningful learning experiences despite being stressful.ConclusionsA high proportion of our students reported a stable/lingering negative affect. However, neither stress nor anxiety related to OSCE scores. Students’ confidence in their capabilities was correlated with their performance. Their subjective reports suggest that self-confidence may have protected them from the negative effects of stress and anxiety on academic performance.

Применение технологий интеллектуального анализа данных для исследования психоэмоционального состояния студентов

Due to the complexity of the research object, data analysis in medicine is the main tool for finding patterns and testing hypotheses. First of all, this applies to psychology, including the analysis of the behavior of subjects in certain situations. In order to identify the high-anxiety state of students, to analyze the tendency to depression or suicide, a study of the psycho-emotional state of students is conducted annually at the Omsk Industrial and Economic College. Traditionally, standard tests based on the technique of "Anxiety Scale" of Spielberger–Hanin's are used for this. The purpose of this work is to reduce the complexity of the standard tests. Significant and poorly motivated efforts have to be made by students in completing the tests, and then by teachers in processing and analyzing the tests. To solve this problem, it is proposed to make the test compact by applying standard and original data analysis methods while minimizing the loss of test accuracy. The main result of this work is a diagnostic scale, which forms the basis for the rapid assessment of the psycho-emotional state of students. The diagnostic scale was calculated using graphics processors on a supercomputer of IM SB RAS. Target audience: senior classes of secondary schools and junior courses of educational institutions of secondary vocational education.

Extinction learning alters the neural representation of conditioned fear.

Extinction learning is a primary means by which conditioned associations to threats are controlled and is a model system for emotion dysregulation in anxiety disorders. Recent work has called for new approaches to track extinction-related changes in conditioned stimulus (CS) representations. We applied a multivariate analysis to previously -collected functional magnetic resonance imaging data on extinction learning, in which healthy young adult participants (N = 43; 21 males, 22 females) encountered dynamic snake and spider CSs while passively navigating 3D virtual environments. We used representational similarity analysis to compare voxel-wise activation t-statistic maps for the shock-reinforced CS (CS+) from the late phase of fear acquisition to the early and late phases of extinction learning within subjects. These patterns became more dissimilar from early to late extinction in a priori regions of interest: subgenual and dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus, amygdala and hippocampus. A whole-brain searchlight analysis revealed similar findings in the insula, mid-cingulate cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, somatosensory cortex, cerebellum, and visual cortex. High state anxiety attenuated extinction-related changes to the CS+ patterning in the amygdala, which suggests an enduring threat representation. None of these effects generalized to an unreinforced control cue, nor were they evident in traditional univariate analyses. Our approach extends previous neuroimaging work by emphasizing how evoked neural patterns change from late acquisition through phases of extinction learning, including those in brain regions not traditionally implicated in animal models. Finally, the findings provide additional support for a role of the amygdala in anxiety-related persistence of conditioned fears.

A Study to Assess Level of Anxiety and to Identify the Factors Contributing to Anxiety among Adolescents

There are about 1.2 billion adolescents with the age group of 10-19 years, which comprises sixteen percentof world’s population. Studies have shown that excessive stress during the teen years can have a negativeimpact upon both physical and mental health later in life. Putting undue pressure on children for performancein class leads to development of anxiety and granting autonomy was associated in decreasing anxietyamongchildren.Objectives:-i) to assess prevalence of anxiety among adolescents, ii) to analyze the level of anxiety amongadolescents and iii) to identify factors contributing to anxiety among adolescents.Method:- A Quantitative Research Approach with Descriptive Exploratory Research Design was used toconduct the study. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase I total enumeration sampling was usedto assess the prevalence and level of anxiety among 1447 study subjects using standardized tool i.e. StateTrait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). In phase II, study subjects who were having high to extremely high stateanxiety scores were selected by Purposive Sampling Technique to find out factors contributing to anxiety.Results : Finding revealed that in phase I majority 51.14% study subjects had average state anxiety followedby 20.73% with high state anxiety as measured by STAI. Regarding contributory factors the main factorcontributing to anxiety among study subjects included parental pressure for good academic performancewith a frequency 58.43% followed by frustration in life 40.98%.Conclusion: The present study confirms the prevalence of anxiety among adolescents and highlights theneed for immediate attention towards strategies in reducing the magnitude of the problem. Their Parentsneed to be counseled about avoiding to put extra pressure for academic performance on their adolescents.Teachers can play a vital role in early identification of anxious adolescents and helping them in promotionof their psychological functioning.

A-48 Athletes that self-report no physical activity/rest are more likely to exhibit clinical levels of state anxiety following concussion

Abstract Objective To investigate the influence of self-reported physical activity (PA) on state anxiety in athletes with concussion Method Participants were 230 athletes (mean age = 16.46, SD = 1.94; 43% female) seeking care for a concussion at a specialty clinic within 30 days of injury (M = 8.83, SD = 6.12 days). Demographic data were collected during the clinical interview: age, sex, and history of concussion, migraine, learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression. Patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and self-reported current levels of PA; 113 participants reported rest or no physical activity (REST) and 117 reported at least minimal PA (ACTIVE). The groups were compared on demographic variables to ensure group equivalence. Independent samples t-test examined differences between groups on state anxiety scores and a chi-square with odds ratios (ORs) examined the relationship between PA groups and clinical levels of state anxiety (STAI &amp;gt; 40). Statistical significance for all analyses was (p &amp;lt; .05). Results The groups were similar on all demographic variables (p &amp;gt; .05). The NO PA/REST group exhibited significantly higher state anxiety scores at first clinic visit than the PA group (t (228) = 2.82, p = .005), and the NO PA/REST group was 2.26 times more likely to exhibit clinical levels of state anxiety than the PA group at first clinic visit (χ2 (1, N = 230) = 9.16, p = .002). Conclusions Anxiety that is secondary to concussive injury could be mitigated with physical activity. Healthcare providers should encourage individuals with concussion to engage in physical activity during recovery.

Cognitive state, substance use patterns and outcome after discharge from Kfar Izun, a unique rehabilitation facility

We studied cognitive performance following discharge from a novel rehabilitation facility, treating individuals with psychosis that developed during trips abroad following mandatory military service. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), phonetic and semantic fluency, State-Trait Anxiety, and self-Efficiency were administered before discharge, and 3 and 6 months after discharge. Of the 43 participants (30.2% females), 23(54.8%) had cognitive impairment (MoCA <27), and 15(35.7%) had poor phonetic fluency. Anxiety trait and state were high and inversely correlated with self-efficacy (R=-0.48, p = 0.001) and phonetic fluency (R=-0.43, p = 0.004) and was higher among those who experienced physical exposure, females, and those who served in non-combat army units. Six months after discharge, of 32 participants, 28 were working/studying with a 58.1% reduction in smoking and alcohol consumption, and 16 participants stopped substance use. Phonetic fluency improved among the high anxiety state group with no change among the others. High anxiety levels lowered among those who were still using drugs after six months. The anxiety level lowered and 87.1% of the participants were conducting a productive lifestyle at 6 months after discharge, but half still abused cannabis. Bigger sample and longer follow up would be needed to learn more about the impact of rehabilitation.

Rightward Shift of Two-Channel NIRS-Defined Prefrontal Cortex Activity during Mental Arithmetic Tasks with Increasing Levels of State Anxiety

This study was aimed at clarifying the effect of different levels of state anxiety caused by mental arithmetic tasks on the anxiety- and/or task performance-related activation of the frontopolar prefrontal cortex (PFC). Twenty-six healthy male subjects performed two sets of mental arithmetic tasks, which consisted of two difficulty levels. Anxiety levels were evaluated subjectively by the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form JYZ (STAI). Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements revealed greater levels of oxyhemoglobin in the frontopolar PFC during experimental tasks. When the subjects were divided into three anxiety groups based on STAI scores, arithmetic task performance was reduced in the moderate and high state anxiety groups compared the low state anxiety group during the experimental task, but not in the control task. Increased frontopolar PFC activity during the experimental task was observed on either side in the moderate anxiety group. The laterality of frontopolar PFC activity in moderate and high state anxiety groups shifted from left to right dominance, independent of task difficulty. Our findings suggested that reduced task performance increased the difficulty of the arithmetic tasks and was involved in the state anxiety-associated rightward lateralization of the frontopolar PFC.

Association of poor sleep quality with risk factors after coronary artery bypass graft surgery—A prospective cohort study

Fragmented sleep is a daunting experience and a common health problem with high prevalence among patients 3months after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the potential predictors on poor seep quality remains unexplored. The main purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of poor sleep quality among patients 3months after CABG. A prospective cohort study is a part of the randomized controlled trial between 2012 and 2013 in which 400 adult patients undergoing elective CABG were being randomly sampled as per the inclusion criteria followed up at 3months after CABG surgery in the cardiovascular outpatient clinic of a tertiary-care hospital. The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the institutional ethical committee. All participants gave written informed consent on having received detailed information on the study. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records at the time of CABG. The data on sleep quality were collected by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and state anxiety was evaluated utilizing state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-YI fo3rm). Multivariable logistic regression examined the association between the postoperative poor sleep quality and clinical, preoperative state anxiety, and angina. The significant variables are chosen based on the P-value associated with the significant level of model that lies on α=0.05. Logit determination and the correlation between the variables are also discussed for further analysis. A total of 187 patients (mean age 55.6±12.05years) completed the questionnaire. Most patients (78%) reported poor sleep quality (4.23±1.24) (PQSI score of less than 5). There was a strong relationship between PQSI and state anxiety. The higher state anxiety among 68% of patients with the mean score (53.51±9.55) had 6.42 (95% CI 3.04-9.61) times the odds of being classified as high risk for sleep disturbance. There are 3 factors that most significant of the 8 factors tested were identified as having influence significantly on the poor sleep quality. These factors are diabetes (OR 1.186, 95% CI 1.016-1.097, P>.01), body mass index>30kg/m2 (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.041-1.172, P>.05), sedentary lifestyle (OR 1.091, 95% CI 1.016-1.159, P>.01), and preoperative state anxiety (OR 1.186, 95% CI 1.074-1.115, P>.01). Even though the body mass index>30kg/m2, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes were significantly associated with sleep quality, the only factor with more significantly related to poor sleep quality was preoperative state anxiety which is the strong predictor of poor sleep quality. Hence, early recognition of predictors and careful management of poor sleep quality is warranted.

Evaluation of postpartum depression scores of elective and emergency cesarean section patients

Aim: One of the factors affecting postpartum depression is anxiety during pregnancy. This study aims to provide early diagnosis of postpartum depression by investigating the impact of pre-operative anxiety of women, who had an elective or emergency cesarean, on postpartum depression. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 103 patients (51 elective, 52 emergency cesarean section cases). Before the surgery, the patients filled State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a form surveying the descriptive properties and obstetric histories. Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was applied 6 weeks after delivery. The impact of these results and the anxiety levels in the preoperative period on postoperative depression were analyzed. Results: The mean value of STAI-1 in the emergency and elective cesarean section groups were 41.31 and 43.61, respectively. Both groups had higher than average (>41) anxiety levels. The mean values of the STAI-2 were equal (48.35) and the anxiety level was above average. As per EPDS, the mean scores of the emergency and elective cesarean section groups were 6.98 and 5.31, respectively. The difference of postpartum rates between two groups was statistically significant (P=0.050). Postpartum depression was observed in 11.53% of the emergency group and 3.92% of the elective group. Conclusion: Both groups had high state and trait anxiety, however, the postpartum depression rate in emergency patients was higher. It is significant to provide psychological support to the patients with high pre-operative anxiety and early treatment to the ones with a higher tendency of depression in the postpartum period.

Anxiety association with suicidal ideation or behaviour in individuals aged 18 – 49 years

Anxiety and suicide – closely related concepts, the understanding of which would contribute to the overall mental and physical health of society, and which is the basis for the successful development of any country. The primary aim of the study is to identify anxiety indicators for individuals with suicide ideation or behaviour. Secondary – find out anxiety association with suicidal ideation or behaviour in individuals aged 18–49 years. For research purposes, a questionnaire created by the authors and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety self-evaluation questionnaire were used which helped to obtain the data about 165 people aged 18–49 years who have had suicidal ideation or behaviour, or attempts. The results of the study reveal that the more frequent manifestations of suicide are suicidal ideation rather than suicidal behaviour or attempts. The study produced results that confirm a positive association between higher anxiety state and suicidal ideation as well as recurrence of thoughts i.e. the higher the anxiety state the more often and repeatedly people think about suicide. The same correlation can be observed between anxiety trait and suicidal thoughts and their recurrence.

State Anxiety Is Related to Cortisol Response During Cognitive Testing for Older Adults.

Cognitive testing situations can be stressful for both younger and older adults, but threats of cognitive evaluation may be particularly salient among anxious older individuals as they tend to be more concerned than younger adults about their cognitive abilities and age-related cognitive decline. We examined age-related differences in the effect of anxiety on cortisol responses during cognitive testing in a sample of 27 younger (M = 19.8) and 29 older (M = 71.2) adults. Older adults with higher anxiety also had higher during-task cortisol (suggesting higher reactivity to testing) than older adults with lower anxiety and young adults. There was no effect of anxiety on cortisol for younger adults. Simultaneously examining subjective (state anxiety) and physiological (cortisol response) indicators of threat during cognitive testing appears to be especially important for older adults with higher state anxiety. The results are important for understanding cortisol reactivity, particularly in older adults. Researchers who administer cognitive tests to older adults and clinicians who work with older adults with cognitive concerns and/or anxiety may want to consider how they present their material.

Комплексное исследование психологических особенностей, состава тела и статуса фактического питания девочек 10 лет с нарушениями пищевого поведения

Objective. To conduct comprehensive research on the psychological traits, body composition and actual nutritional status of 10-year-old girls with eating disorders. Patients and methods. The study included 10-year-old girls who volunteered to participate. The FEV-II Questionnaire, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to examine the types of eating behaviour. Body composition was assessed by the bioimpedance analyser АВС-01 «Medass». The method of frequency analysis was used to assess actual nutrition with the computer program «Analysis of human nutritional status». Results. The eating behaviour of 10-year-old girls was assessed as harmonious in half of cases (49%). 1/5 of girls have external (18%) and restriction (22%) eating disorders, 11% are emotional types. According to the Spielberger inventory, girls with external and emotional eating behaviours scored higher on the trait anxiety subscale, and girls with emotional eating had higher state anxiety scores. A higher energy value of diets was characteristic for girls with external eating. A risk of developing emotional eating disorder has been shown for children who have higher scores not only on the trait anxiety but also on the state anxiety subscales. A likelihood of developing restriction eating disorder has been demonstrated for endomorphic children. Key words: bioimpedance analysis, personality traits, eating behaviour, actual nutrition

Beneficial effect of task-irrelevant threat on response inhibition

It is widely accepted that task-irrelevant threats utilize processing resources, resulting in impaired cognitive processes. However, if some subcomponents of the cognitive processes are activated by a threat, these cognitive processes may be facilitated. In the present study, we investigated whether task-irrelevant threats enhance cognitive control if the threat and task-relevant processes commonly recruit a cognitive process, inhibitory process. To examine the impact of task-irrelevant threats on inhibitory control, we had participants perform a stop-signal task with mild electric shocks. They were at risk for receiving the shocks randomly in threat blocks while no such shock was administered in safe blocks. The results showed that the stop-signal reaction time decreased under threat compared to safe conditions, indicating that inhibitory control was enhanced under threat. This beneficial effect of threat on response inhibition was more evident in participants with high state anxiety. An additional measurement of motor execution indicated that the interaction between threat and response inhibition was not derived from general arousal under threat. Results suggest that emotion and cognition do not interact simply by sharing processing resources but are related more closely to each other than we have previously thought by engaging a common processing.

Avoidance of all feedback? Attention allocation during and after public speech in social anxiety

Background and objectivesAttention avoidance of feedback-related stimuli is proposed to be associated with and maintain social anxiety. However, previous research has mainly focused on comparing the attention bias between two types of stimuli, while little is known about attention distribution patterns among positive, neutral, and negative feedback and non-feedback stimuli in individuals with high trait social anxiety (HSA) or low trait social anxiety (LSA). MethodsThe current study assessed eye movement pattern of participants with HSA or LSA during a speech task (high anxiety condition) or while solely watching audience feedback of the speech (low anxiety condition). A pre-recorded audience who displayed approving, neutral, or disapproving gestures was presented as feedback stimuli, while neutral facial photos were used as non-feedback stimuli. ResultsOnly in the high anxiety condition, participants with HSA exhibited longer total fixation on non-feedback stimuli compared to those with LSA; whereas in the low anxiety condition, both groups paid more attention to emotional feedback stimuli. LimitationsThe final sample size was modest due to a high suspicion rate of the reality of the audience. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that only in highly anxious social situations, socially anxious individuals lack the attentional preference toward positive feedback that individuals with low anxious have.

Emotional impact and compassion fatigue in oncology nurses: Results of a multicentre study.

To assess the prevalence of Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue (Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress) and anxiety in oncology nurses and the association with demographics, training, work-related conditions, and psychological factors. A multicentre, cross-sectional study in 8 selected hospitals in Catalonia (Spain) involving oncology nurses. Primary outcomes were Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue (Burnout/Secondary Traumatic Stress), evaluated with the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire v.IV, and anxiety, evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Of 297 participants, 18.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]:16.1-20.3) presented low Compassion Satisfaction; 20.2% (95% CI:18.0-22.4), high burnout; and 37.4% (95% CI:34.8-40.0), high Secondary Traumatic Stress. Trait and State Anxiety were high in 5.4% (95% CI:4.2-6.6) and 8.1% (95% CI:6.6-9.6) of participants, respectively. Nurses' desire to leave the unit was associated with high burnout (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] 3.7, 95% CI:1.9-7.5) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (ORa 3.2, 95% CI:1.9-5.3), while the desire to leave the profession was related to high State Anxiety (ORa 12.5, 95% CI:4.6-33.7). Most participants (96.9%) were interested in receiving emotional management training. Continuous demands on oncology nurses' empathy can lead them to experience compassion fatigue, anxiety and a desire to leave the profession. The first study carried out with Spanish oncology nurses shows Compassion Fatigue is highly prevalent. This is related to nurses' desire to change units, leave their profession and has negative implications on staff satisfaction and quality of care. This problem justifies institutions support strategies for these professionals.

State and Trait Anxiety and Diabetes Outcomes in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes.

The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to examine the associations of state and trait anxiety with glycemic control, self-management, and diabetes-specific quality of life (QOL) in youth 10 to 16 years of age with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Bivariate Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression modeling were conducted to examine the relationship among anxiety symptoms, hemoglobin A1C (A1C), self-management, QOL, and covariates. A sample of 67 adolescents was 50.7% female, and 87.1% were non-Hispanic white, with a mean ± SD age of 13.4 ± 1.85 years and an A1C of 8.3% ± 1.2% (67 mmol/mol). Higher state anxiety was correlated with older age. Better self-management was correlated with lower trait anxiety and lower state anxiety. Higher state and trait anxiety were associated with poorer self-management. Higher state anxiety was associated with higher A1C. Higher trait anxiety was associated with poorer diabetes-specific QOL. State and trait anxiety may differentially affect diabetes outcomes. State anxiety may be a modifiable target for physiologic (A1C) and psychosocial (QOL) outcomes in youth with T1D, while trait anxiety may be a modifiable target for psychosocial outcomes (QOL). Anxiety symptoms should be assessed at regular clinic visits. Interventions to improve anxiety symptoms may in turn improve physiologic and psychosocial outcomes.

IMPLEMENTING ‘GUIDED IMAGERY’ METHOD IN PSYCHO-CORRECTIVE WORK WITH ATHLETES WITH ANXIETY

The article is devoted to the approbation of ‘Guided Imagery’ techniques (katathym-imaginative psychotherapy) in athletes’ anxiety correction in psychological provision of athletic activity. The necessity of such a research is derived from the fact that athlete’s trait anxiety characterizes a strong propensity to perceive a wide range of situations as threatening, reacting on such situations with anxious state. State anxiety is characterized by tension, restlessness, and nervousness. High level of state anxiety triggers difficulty concentrating, sometimes with fine motor coordination disruption. Very high level of trait anxiety directly correlates with the presence of neurotic conflict, with emotional and neurotic collapses, and with psychosomatic disorders, that, in turns, can lead to lowering the athlete’s performance, or, even, can lead to the athlete’s career termination. The article reveals the meaning of the notion of anxiety in sports activity, the need for corrective work for high level trait and state anxiety was analyzed. Chosen psychotherapeutic approach for corrective work was substantiated. The individual psycho-corrective work viability with young martial arts practitioners was analyzed. The positive changes were noticed in emotional reactions of research subjects that gives a green light in using the guided imagery techniques in psychological support of an athlete in his/her achievements.

Screening nursing students to identify those at high risk of poor mental health: a cross-sectional survey

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify those at high risk of poor mental health among nursing students and to examine the relationships and consistency among five mental health assessments.DesignA cross-sectional design...

Peculiarities of emotional sphere in the military with diseases of the nervous system complicated by sexual dysfunctions

Relevance. Diseases of the nervous system considerably complicate professional performance of military men. Employees of the EMERCOM and other military are constantly engaged in stressful activities; hence, pathology of the nervous system is often associated with sexual dysfunctions. Intention – To study sexual and emotional dysfunction and personality accentuations in themilitary with diseases of the nervous system.Methods. The research was focused on a group of 146 men 25–55 years old with pathology of the nervous system. Standard clinical and neurological examination was carried out with assessment for sexual dysfunctions using questionnaires “Male sexual function” and “Male copulative function”. Emotional sphere was assessed via psychological tests: Well-being– activity–mood, Eysenck Personality Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Leonhard–Schmieschek questionnaire.Results and Discussion. Associated sexual dysfunctions (decreased neurohumoral, mental, erectile and ejaculatory components of copulation cycle) were found in 60.3 % of patients irrespective of specific neurologic pathology, age or sexual constitution. Statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease in overall well-being and mood, as well as high state and trait anxiety and neuroticism were revealed in those with sexual dysfunctions. A direct link between sexual dysfunctions and emotive, pedantic, dysthymic person accentuations are noted. At patients with sexual dysfunctions gradual decrease in health status, activity, mood and increase of situational and personal anxiety, and also a high level neuroticism in comparison from patients without sexual frustration is revealed. Personality accentuations, such as stuck, pedant, exalted, emotive, demonstrative, were most common in patients with sexual dysfunctions, that is consistent with data of other authors. However, they result from a combined influence of adverse factors, rather than personality disorders.Conclusion. Sexual dysfunctions significantly aggravate a course of neurological diseases, are associated with affective disorders and increased personality accentuations. For effective treatment of neurological diseases, it’s important to reveal and timely correct psychological and sexual dysfunction in the military. “Male copulative function” questionnaire is optimal for rapid diagnosis of male sexual disorders.

An Examination of Ironic Effects in Air-Pistol Shooting under Pressure.

This study aimed to test the incidence of ironic performance errors in elite air-pistol shooters. Previous research has revealed that, when shooters are anxious, avoidant instructions can cause ironic performance breakdown, especially in the unintended direction. Fifty-seven experienced air-pistol shooters were given specific instructions not to shoot to a certain part of a target, under low- and high-anxiety conditions, respectively. Results demonstrated that, when instructed not to shoot in a specific direction, anxious shooters did so a significant number of times. Interestingly, there was no difference in non-target non-ironic error, which provides specific support for Wegner’s theory of ironic processes of mental control in air-pistol shooting. Consequently, these findings illustrated that the combination of increased anxiety with avoidant instructions could lead to such unintended performance errors, called ironic error. Thus, understanding the mechanism of the anxiety-performance relationship may be a useful theoretical framework which could provide practical, instruction-based interventions to reduce susceptibility to ironic errors under pressure.