Work

Self-reported levels of anxiety do not predict neuropsychological performance in healthy men

Year: 1997

Type: article

Abstract: It is widely believed that even mild to moderately severe levels of anxiety have a negative impact on neuropsychological performance. To test that possibility, we used scores from Spielberger's State and Trait Anxiety scales to predict performance on measures of attention, learning, memory, mental flexibility, and eye-hand coordination. Two samples of healthy young and middle-aged men were studied. Sample 1 consisted of 125 university students (M age = 20.37); Sample 2 consisted of 50 men recruited from the community (M age = 40.64). Results of multiple regression analyses revealed no significant associations in either sample, after controlling for age, education, and average alcohol consumption. These findings suggest an absence of relationship between self-reported symptoms of anxiety and neuropsychological function in healthy men.

Source: Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology

DOI: 10.1093/arclin/12.6.567

Authors: S. R. Waldstein, C. M. Ryan, J. R. Jennings, M. F. Muldoon, S. B. Manuck

Institutions: Baltimore VA Medical Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, University of Pittsburgh

Language: English

Topic: Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Institutes of Health