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PubMed2006

Relations of the factors of the tripartite model of anxiety and depression to types of social anxiety.

Our primary goal was to examine the relations of the specific components of the tripartite model of anxiety and depression [Clark, L. A., Watson, D. (1991). Tripartite model of anxiety and depression: Psychometric evidence and taxonomic implications. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 316-336] to two types of social anxiety (social interaction anxiety and performance anxiety) in 148 individuals with social phobia. In line with previous research, overall social anxiety was more closely related to the anhedonic depression (AD) or low positive affect factor of the tripartite model than to the physiological hyerarousal factor, controlling for general distress. However, as hypothesized, performance anxiety was more closely associated with the physiological hyerarousal factor, whereas social interaction anxiety was more closely associated with the AD or low positive affect factor. We also examined the convergent and discriminant validity of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ; [Watson, D., Clark, L. A. (1991). The mood and anxiety symptom questionnaire. Unpublished manuscript, University of Iowa City]). Intercorrelations of the MASQ subscales were as expected, but correlations with measures of social anxiety, nonsocial anxiety, and depression provided only modest support for convergent and discriminant validity. Findings from this study provide a more detailed account of the specific components of the tripartite model that characterize the diversity of symptoms subsumed by social phobia.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Beneficial effect of nadolol on anxiety-induced disturbances of performance in musicians: a comparison with diazepam and placebo.

The effects of 40 mg nadolol versus 2 mg diazepam on performance anxiety of 33 young music students were determined. The study had a double-blind, crossover design and was placebo controlled. Nadolol attenuated the rise in pulse rate caused by anxiety and improved those aspects of string playing that can be adversely affected by tremor. There was also a tendency for other functions requiring coordination and judgment to improve. No effect on anxiety was noted for nadolol or for 2 mg diazepam. Diazepam, however, did cause some minor deterioration of performance that was not related to anxiety change. These findings, taken with others, suggest that beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs such as nadolol have an important role in the correction of anxiety-induced disturbances of performance. Indeed, their use under such circumstances probably is preferable to that of the benzodiazepines.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1984

A consciousness-sampling analysis of test anxiety and performance.

In order to evaluate cognitive-interference, reassertion, and reaction-to-performance models of test anxiety, 82 students completed the Test Anxiety Scale, provided state measures of anxiety just before and after a course examination, described their preparation for the test, and reported thought content and state anxiety up to six times during the test. Test Anxiety Scale scores were predictive of pre- and posttest state anxiety but not performance or problem-solving thought frequency during the test. Thought content was significantly but weakly correlated with performance, which was well correlated with posttest state anxiety but not with pretest anxiety. Pretest state anxiety was virtually uncorrelated with posttest state anxiety, with the correlations gradually declining during the test. Question-answering thought content correlated inversely with anxiety during the test. There was no group for whom anxiety appeared to facilitate performance. Preparation correlated only with performance. The pattern of results appears inconsistent with a cognitive-interference interpretation of test anxiety and suggests that in the naturalistic setting used, anxiety is more clearly an effect than a cause of poor performance.

Achievement↗
PubMed2002

Anxiety, cognitive performance, and cognitive decline in normal aging.

A sample of 704 cognitively intact individuals (M age = 63.7 years) performed a battery of cognitive tests on as many as three occasions, at approximately 3-year intervals. The authors used random effects models to analyze cross-sectional relationships between cognitive performance and state anxiety and longitudinal relationships between cognitive change and neuroticism, after controlling for gender, age, and education. Cross-sectionally, higher state anxiety was associated with poorer performance on Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Synonyms, WIT III Analogies, Koh's Block Design, two measures of visual learning (Names and Faces and Thurstone's Picture Memory), and, for men, CVB-Scales Digit Span Test and Card Rotations. In longitudinal models, the main effects for neuroticism were significant for Block Design, Symbol Digit, and Names and Faces, but there were no significant interactions among neuroticism, gender, and time. These results provide some support for Eysenck's processing efficiency theory but none for neuroticism as a risk factor for cognitive decline in normal aging.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Stress, anxiety and performance.

Research which has examined the catastrophe models of anxiety and performance is discussed. The conclusion drawn is that the evidence supports the notion of hysteresis, and partially supports the interactive effects prediction of the catastrophe models. Two potential explanations of anxiety induced performance catastrophes are then examined, processing efficiency theory and the conscious processing hypothesis. Process efficiency theory proposes that, as well as reducing attentional resources, cognitive anxiety can also lead performers to invest additional effort in the task in an attempt to allay their concerns and fears. Thus, performance may be maintained (or even enhanced), but at an increased physiological cost. Evidence is presented in support of the prediction that cognitive anxiety leads to increased effort. The conscious processing hypothesis proposes that anxious performers regress to an earlier stage of learning when they controlled movements using conscious processes and explicit knowledge. Evidence is presented from a number of recent studies which at least partially support this notion. Finally, it is suggested that these two different explanations are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1988

Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in neuropsychiatry: an update.

Although beta-adrenoceptor antagonists such as propranolol have been used in neuropsychiatry for more than 20 years, their indications, extent of efficacy, and place in therapy remain unclear. In this overview, which concentrates on the recent literature, four indications for use of the drugs are reviewed, with particular reference to efficacy, mode of action, and clinical utility. The indications are anxiety disorders, including performance anxiety; schizophrenia; aggressive behavior; and akathisia. The author concludes that beta-blockers are useful in some forms of anxiety disorder, perhaps those characterized by somatic symptoms and by performance anxiety, and that akathisia seems to be responsive to those drugs. However, the use of high doses of beta-blockers in schizophrenia remains unestablished, and insufficient data are available with respect to their use in aggressive behavior.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1991

A catastrophe model of anxiety and performance.

An experiment is reported which tests Fazey & Hardy's (1988) catastrophe model of anxiety and performance. Eight experienced basketball players were required to perform a set shooting task, under conditions of high and low cognitive anxiety. On each of these occasions, physiological arousal was manipulated by means of physical work in such a way that subjects were tested with physiological arousal increasing and decreasing. Curve-fitting procedures followed by non-parametric tests of significance confirmed (p less than .002) Fazey & Hardy's hysteresis hypothesis: namely, that the polynomial curves for the increasing vs. decreasing arousal conditions would be horizontally displaced relative to each other in the high cognitive anxiety condition, but superimposed on top of one another in the low cognitive anxiety condition. Other non-parametric procedures showed that subjects' maximum performances were higher, their minimum performances lower, and their critical decrements in performance greater in the high cognitive anxiety condition than in the low cognitive anxiety condition. These results were taken as strong support for Fazey & Hardy's catastrophe model of anxiety and performance. The implications of the model for current theorizing on the anxiety-performance relationship are also discussed.

Achievement↗
PubMed1989

Medical problems of musicians.

Surveys of performing musicians indicate that almost half of them experience playing-related medical problems, some of which threaten or end their careers. Overuse injuries involving the muscle--tendon unit are the most common problem, with symptoms ranging from mild pain while the musician is playing to pain severe enough to preclude any use of the affected hand. String players are the most commonly affected, and percussionists the least. The most important predisposing characteristic is the use of repetitive movements during long hours of practice, but awkward body positions mandated by the shape and weight of the instrument, the technical difficulty of the repertoire, and unfamiliar instruments may also play a part. Women are more commonly affected than men. Rest is the cornerstone of therapy. Neural impingement syndromes affecting the median or ulnar nerves or the thoracic outlet affect many musicians. Focal dystonias may involve part or all of a hand or the muscles forming the embouchure (the position of the lips in wind players). These are very resistant to therapy and may terminate or drastically alter a career. Stress, especially performance anxiety, may impede performance. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents prevent the symptoms of performance anxiety and are frequently used by musicians without medical supervision. A recognition of the unique problems of musician-patients has led to the formation of successful specialty clinics in a number of cities.

Female↗
PubMed1999

Effects of humor on test anxiety and performance.

The present study evaluated the moderating effects of humor in test items on the hypothesized relationship between test anxiety and performance. Subjects initially completed anxiety scales, as well as coping-humor and sense-of-humor scales. 34 women and 26 men received achievement tests under one of three test conditions: (1) nonhumorous, (2) low-humor (15% of test items), or (3) moderate-humor (30% of test items). These test versions were administered under both low, i.e., short quiz, and high, i.e., examination, outcome-value conditions. Humor frequency did not improve the test performance of highly test-anxious subjects under either outcome-value condition. Together with other previous disconfirmatory findings, the present results suggest that the hypothesized moderating role of item humor in the anxiety-performance relationship may be overstated. Ancillary analyses suggest that individual differences in the use of humor as a coping strategy significantly predict examination scores.

Achievement↗
PubMed2001

The relationships among working memory, math anxiety, and performance.

Individuals with high math anxiety demonstrated smaller working memory spans, especially when assessed with a computation-based span task. This reduced working memory capacity led to a pronounced increase in reaction time and errors when mental addition was performed concurrently with a memory load task. The effects of the reduction also generalized to a working memory-intensive transformation task. Overall, the results demonstrated that an individual difference variable, math anxiety, affects on-line performance in math-related tasks and that this effect is a transitory disruption of working memory. The authors consider a possible mechanism underlying this effect--disruption of central executive processes--and suggest that individual difference variables like math anxiety deserve greater empirical attention, especially on assessments of working memory capacity and functioning.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Anxiety and performance in elite non-professional athletes.

Anxiety is one of the main motivators with regards to performance of individuals in any given task, including sporting endeavours. Our study sought to assess state anxiety levels in elite non-professional sportsmen, and to investigate if anxiety correlated with sporting performance, the IDA-Q (irritability, depression & anxiety questionnaire) was used to assess 3 mental state variables in an inter-county hurling team as well as a matched non-sporting control group, and performance was judged by completion of a standard task in 2 different settings: a non-pressurised one and a highly pressurised setting. Subjects had significantly higher anxiety scores on the IDA-Q than the controls (p = 0.019). There were no significant differences and controls in the depression and irritability scales. There was a significantly negative correlation between anxiety scores and performance on the IDA-Q; spearman r = -0.57. High anxiety levels impair sporting performance.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1984

Anxiety and performance in two ego threatening situations.

The relationship between trait and state anxiety and performance was studied in two ego threatening situations among 312 subjects. Candidates with high scores in trait and state anxiety measured just prior to a selection interview for medical school were predicted to receive poorer interview ratings than those candidates with low scores. High trait anxiety, but not state anxiety, measured prior to selection interviews was predicted to be negatively related to academic performance measured up to 1 year later. Neither trait nor state anxiety was found to be significantly related to interview performance ratings. Trait anxiety, but not state anxiety, was found to be significantly related to academic performance: low trait anxious subjects performed better than medium and high trait anxious subjects. This relationship was found to be sustained when controlled for academic aptitude.

Achievement↗
PubMed1996

Variability in precompetition anxiety and performance in college track and field athletes.

The influence of anxiety on sport performance was examined using the inverted-U hypothesis and Zone of Optimal Function (ZOF) theory. Sixty-seven collegiate track and field athletes completed versions of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to determine baseline state anxiety, recalled best anxiety, and precompetition anxiety. Precompetition state anxiety was determined 1 h before competition in four meets. Three variants of the inverted-U hypothesis were examined: 1) task-specific anxiety, 2) individualized median precompetition anxiety, and 3) mean precompetition anxiety. For ZOF, optimal anxiety was established from anxiety scores based on recalled best performance. Subjects were grouped as either inside or outside of optimal anxiety levels according to inverted-U or ZOF criteria. Mean group performance was determined by transforming individual results using intra- and interindividual standards. ANOVA revealed that subjects possessing optimal anxiety according to inverted-U criteria performed no better (P > 0.05) than cases outside optimal. Subjects with precompetition anxiety values within their individual ZOF performed significantly (P < 0.05) better than cases with anxiety outside ZOF for all contrasts. The largest (P < 0.05) performance decrements resulted when anxiety was within a 1 SD range above or below ZOF. These results indicate that ZOF theory was more efficacious than the variants of the inverted-U hypothesis examined.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Goal difficulty, anxiety and performance.

This study reports a detailed investigation of the interaction between goal setting, anxiety and perceptuo-motor performance. Forty-four subjects completed familiarization, control and treatment conditions in which they were required to perform a series of perceptual speed trials. In the control condition, subjects were assigned a vague, general goal of 'do your best', whilst in the treatment condition, increasingly difficult, specific goals were assigned. During each condition, subjective goal difficulty, goal acceptance, performance, cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence were examined. The results suggested that the manipulation of the control and treatment conditions were successful. In the treatment condition, an increase in cognitive anxiety and a reduction in self-confidence accompanied increasing goal difficulty but these remained stable in the control condition. Performance was greater when 'do your best' as opposed to 'very easy' goals were assigned, but this situation was reversed when 'very hard' goals were assigned. The results of these laboratory-based findings are discussed with particular reference to the implications for practitioners in applied settings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Relationship between anxiety and performance in scuba diving.

The present research examined the relationship between the anxiety levels of 62 beginning Scuba diving students and standardized performance tests from the Y.M.C.A. training program. Results suggested that there was no relationship between anxiety and performance on relatively simple tasks, while there was a relationship between anxiety and performance on the more complex diving maneuvers.

Achievement↗
PubMed1980

The effects of two methods of pelvic examination instruction on student performance and anxiety.

The impact of two methods of pelvic examination instruction on student performance and anxiety was examined. Forty second-year medical students were randomly assigned either to an experimental group which received initial pelvic examination instruction from professional patients or to a control group which received this instruction from a gynecologist with a clinic patient. Results revealed no significant difference between experimental and control subjects in subsequent performance of the pelvic examination, on heart rate, or on perceived anxiety using one anxiety inventory. However, significant differences were found using a second anxiety instrument. The cost per student examination was twice as much for the clinic-patient group as for the professional-patient group. These findings are discussed in relation to prior research and instructional practices.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1992

Analysis of the effect of competitive trait anxiety on performance in Taekwondo competition.

This study examined the effect of competitive trait anxiety on performance in open- (sparring) and closed- (forms) skills in Taekwondo. 58 subjects responded to the Sports Competition Anxiety Test immediately prior to competition. Subjects were categorized into groups showing high, medium, and low competitive anxiety to assess whether differences on the variables of sparring and forms were significantly related with scores on competition anxiety, age, or gender after adjusting for the covariate of years of competition. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed no significant differences between subjects and the normative samples on competitive anxiety scores except for boys, whose scores were significantly higher than those of a normative sample of male youth athletes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

An evaluation of therapeutic programs for the treatment of secondary inorgasmia in women.

This paper is concerned with a review and evaluation of programs for the treatment of secondary inorgasmia in women. Treatments address a wide range of factors. They include medical and psychiatric disorders, lack of sexual knowledge and communication between partners, marital disharmony, sexual anxiety, and performance anxiety. These treatment approaches are evaluated, along with the effectiveness of Masters and Johnson's therapy, and the many variants of this approach. The use of erotic fantasy in the treatment of this condition is also discussed. Conclusions are limited by the nature of research in this area. It is essentially clinical in form. Often it fails to define the characteristics of the conditions that are required to assess contributing factors, treatment strategies, and pre- and posttreatment measures.

Female↗