Trait Anxiety

Trait Anxiety

Author: Kaleigh Le Vine & Everett Spellman

Validated by: Lahna McClaine 1/25/23, Macey Mattson 2/1/2023, Tegan Ross 2/4/23, Emily Walton 2/7/23, Rebecca Marshall 2/11/23

Disclosure: ChatGPT3 was used in the creation of this resource.

Summary:

Trait anxiety is a personality characteristic that involves an individual's general tendency to experience anxiety. It is a stable trait typically measured by self-report questionnaires and can vary in intensity from person to person. People who score high on trait anxiety may be more likely to experience anxiety in various situations and may be more prone to experiencing state anxiety in response to specific triggers. Trait anxiety is not the same as state anxiety, which refers to the experience of anxiety in response to a specific situation or trigger.

Overview:

Trait anxiety is a psychological construct that refers to the tendency to experience anxiety in different kinds of situations where anxiety would not normally be prompted. It is characterized as a general predisposition to perceive and interpret a wide range of situations as threatening or dangerous, leading to elevated levels of anxiety.

People with higher levels of trait anxiety tend to experience patterns of anxious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, regardless of the specific circumstances they find themselves in. They often experience excessive worry, fear, and nervousness, even in situations that others may perceive as non-threatening. This heightened state of anxiety can be overwhelming and interfere with daily functioning, affecting various aspects of an individual's life, including work, relationships, and overall well-being.

Those who struggle with high-trait anxiety may display several cognitive and emotional tendencies. One example would be that they often engage in negative thinking patterns, anticipating and exaggerating potential negative outcomes. Additionally, they may have difficulty regulating their emotions, experiencing heightened levels of fear, restlessness, and irritability.

Trait anxiety is considered to be a relatively stable personality trait, meaning that it tends to remain consistent over time. However, it can be influenced by a variety of factors as previously mentioned, including genetics, early life experiences, and learned coping strategies. While some level of anxiety is a normal part of the human experience, individuals with high-trait anxiety may benefit from therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based techniques, which can help them manage their anxiety more effectively.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, trait anxiety refers to a stable individual difference in the tendency to experience anxiety across various situations and over time. It involves heightened levels of anxiety, negative thinking patterns, emotional dysregulation, and physiological arousal. Recognizing and understanding trait anxiety is crucial for mental health professionals and individuals alike, as it can guide the development of effective interventions to alleviate anxiety symptoms and enhance overall well-being.

Quiz questions:

1) Trait anxiety is a temporary emotional state that varies in intensity in response to specific situations or triggers.

True
False

2) Which are the following contributing factors to trait anxiety?

Genetics
Fast food
Personality
Exposure to traumatic experiences
Medical conditions

3) Jenna tends to overthink and over-rationalize during the day. Jenna has trait anxiety.

True
False

References

This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.

Access it online or download it at https://books.byui.edu/development_motivati/min_41_trait_anxiety.