ANXIETY AS A CORRELATE OF PERSONAL PROBLEMS

Summary.-Scores of 72 female undergraduates on an anxiety scale were conlpared with the numbcr of personal problems reported on the Mooney Problem Check List. Total ntimber of personal problems correlated positively (p < .01) with the subtypes and total anxiety scores. No clear-cut pattern of relationships between subtypcs of anxiety and problem areas emerged. That anxiety should take many forms in a variety of personal problems has been accepted clinical belief for many years (2). However, in recent years interest has centered upon the relation between mevures of anxiety and various personality characteristics (4) and testing hypotheses in Hull-Spence learning theory (5). A renewed interest in the relation of anxiety to problems is reflected in the work of Endler, Hunt, and Rosenstein (1 ). In this investigation specific anxiety reactions were studied in relation to particular stimulus situations. The general purpose of the present research was to srudy the relationship between anxiety and a wide variety of personal problems. The specific goals of the study were: (a) to test the clinical belief that persons having a larger number of personal problems would have greater anxiety and (b) to explore the rclationship among three sub-types of anxiety and major problems ureas. Method.-Ss were 72 Ca~casian females aged from 18 to 23 and cnrolled in an introductory psychology course. Since personality testing and evaluation were considered an integral part of the course, he data were obtained as part of regular classroom exercises. Ss were assured that the information would be kept confidential and would in no way influence their grade for the course. The Mooney Problem Chcxk List (3) which has 330 items in 11 problem areas provided estimates of the number of personal problems and the Personal Reaction Schedule (6, 7, 8) whose scales measure Motor Tension (M), Object (0), Personal Inadequacy (P), and Total (T), provided measures of anxiety. Type M anxiety is characterized by concern with external achievement and physical tension which acts as a defense against feelings of inadequacy. When frustration occurs, energy is channeled somatically instead of psychically. Type M anxiety results in hyperactivity, physical and mental restlessness, or jumpiness. Type O anxiety is characterized by concern that external demands and perceived expectancies may be overwhelming and one may suffer harm. It represents projection or rationalization of one's possible personal inadequacy and magnification of personal problems out of proportion to objective reality. The emphasis here is on the external as a source of uncertailty or unrest. Type P anxiety is characterized by concern that one may not be capable of meeting the difficulties of life. The person himself feels inadequate and the inadequacy lies within himself. There is a certain helplessness and self-evaluation which may give rise to guilt feelings. The focus of the uncertainry is on one's own inadequacy. Results.-The product-moment correlations in Table 1 indicated statistically significant relationships among anxierq subtypes and total anxiety scores and the total number of personal problems. Persons wi* many problems had greater anxiety. Inspection of cor