engleski

What makes students become more anxious at college?

Objectives. Following the sample of freshmen through their second year of study we have found that their anxiety significantly increased on average, so we wanted to check some of the possible factors that might contribute to the change in anxiety symptoms. Methods. The representative sample of 260 students was assessed twice, during their first and third semester. Anxiety as a trait (STAI-T), present anxiety symptoms (BAI) and their adaptation to college (SACQ) were assessed in the first measurement. Next year, we have assessed their anxiety symptoms (BAI), as well as their automatic thoughts during study and taking exams. The hierarchical regression analysis was used to check the contribution of assessed variables in explanation of anxiety symptoms at the second year of study. The logistic regression analysis was used to assess the contribution of the same predictors to the difference in anxiety symptoms in two measurements. Results and Conclusions. The results show that anxiety as a trait has a significant contribution to anxiety symptoms at the second year of study, but it was not a predictor of the change in the level of anxiety. Students who were better emotionally and academically adjusted at the beginning of college had less anxiety symptoms a year later. The most significant predictor of the increase of anxiety was negative automatic thoughts related to fear of disappointing parents. The results suggest the need to help freshmen to adjust to college, as well as help them cope with their worries of disappointing parents during college.

college students; anxiety; adjustment; negative automatic thoughts

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