Why are College Students Anxious? Trait or Situational Demands of Student Life

This research was designed to evaluate whether anxiety in a collegiate setting stems from predisposed traits or from situational stressors. Additionally, gender differences in anxiety were examined. Surveys assessing anxiety, anxiety disorders and situational stressors were completed by 124 college students. The results suggested that anxiety was perceived as primarily caused by situational stressors. Furthermore, students scoring high on anxiety traits or disorders reacted· more intensely in stressful situations than students who did not report predisposed anxiety traits. Finally, it was. found that men scored higher on situational anxiety levels than women. Results also suggested that time constraints and difficult course loads were associated with anxiety. School counselors might find this information helpful when working with students suffering from anxiety in collegiate settings