EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING SHIELD: EXPLORING ANXIETY AMONG NURSING STUDENTS

Summary. Chronic stress leads to the chronicity of visceral and autonomic disorders, which indicates the possibility of autonomy of somatic disorders and justifies the relevance of this study. Depression, eating disorders and emotional stress make it difficult to control type 2 diabetes mellitus, which requires the intervention of a nurse. The aim of the study – to determine the level of anxiety and its effect on glucose concentration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus depending on the action of stress factors. Materials and Methods. To achieve this goal, 30 female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 54–62 were interviewed using the Spielberger Alarm Scale (STAI) (Spilberger, 1983), in particular the Ukrainian-language modification of this scale, who applied for medical assistance to the Starosambir District Hospital. Respondents were interviewed twice: the first in 2021, the second time after the imposition of martial law (February 24, 2022), which was considered a stressor. Results. Under the influence of the stress factor, personal anxiety did not change, while a high level of situational anxiety prevailed (in 22 patients) and a low level of situational anxiety was not detected. Analysis of glucose levels showed its dependence on the level of situational anxiety, in particular, the highest concentration of glucose was recorded at high levels of anxiety. In patients with diabetes mellitus under stress, glucose levels were significantly higher at moderate (10.5 %) and high (12.6 %) levels of anxiety, according to such data in patients with diabetes without stress. Conclusions. Moderate levels of situational and personal anxiety predominate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Under conditions of stress, a high level of situational anxiety prevails, while personal anxiety is virtually unchanged. Under conditions of stress, glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus are likely to be higher at moderate (10.5 %) and high (12.6 %) levels of anxiety, according to such data in patients with diabetes without stress. In type 2 diabetes mellitus some dissatisfaction with life predominates, while the combination of diabetes and stress is characterized by 40 % of some dissatisfaction and 36.0 % of dissatisfaction with life

BackgroundPsychological trauma is a short-term or long-term stressful event associated with a sense of extreme threat or catastrophe. Psychological trauma predisposes to the development of a systemic inflammatory process. Dysregulation...

Psychological adaptation is a necessary component of rehabilitation of patients with ischemic heart disease. Post-infarction period is a special adaptation period for the patient, which requires a holistic approach taking into account both medical, physical and psychological components. High levels of anxiety in patients, both before surgical interventions, and in the postoperative period, worsen the prognosis that requires to improve the methods of rehabilitation.
 The objective of the research was to study the peculiarities of psychological adaptation in patients with ischemic heart disease, depending on reperfusion approaches and applied methods of rehabilitation.
 Materials and methods. There were examined 450 patients with ischemic heart disease using different methods of reperfusion interventions. Depending on the methods of rehabilitation, the patients were divided into three subgroups. The determination of levels of reactive and personal anxiety was performed at the beginning of treatment, 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after treatment.
 Results. There were revealed high levels of reactive and personal anxiety in patients with ischemic heart disease, which differed depending on the applied reperfusion interventions. The use of psychological methods at the stage of rehabilitation contributed to a decrease in anxiety levels a week after using suggestive therapy methods, and the effect of learning was noted a month and 6 months after the observation.
 Conclusions. One of the constituents of a cardiologic patient is his psychological status, namely the level of anxiety. For the effective adaptation, it is important to use the suggestive methods of therapy and training of patients. In patients, who are scheduled for surgical operation due to ischemic heart disease, a pre-rehabilitation with an individual approach is necessary.

Introduction: Given the critical importance of math proficiency, considerable research has focused on identifying the factors that contribute to math achievement. Extensive research has demonstrated a negative correlation between math performance and mathematics anxiety, that is the anxiety that appears specifically when the subject has to deal with numbers. However, it is known that there are students who, despite having a high level of mathematics anxiety, manage to achieve adequate math performance. The present report focused specifically on the competence acquired by students characterized by a high level of mathematics anxiety. Materials and Method: The study involved students who were followed in their first year of secondary school. Students were assessed on two separate occasions: first at the end of the first term, and then again at the end of the second term. Based on the scores obtained in the anxiety questionnaire, students scoring above the mean by one standard deviation were categorized as having high levels of anxiety. Furthermore, based on the results obtained in the math test conducted at the end of the year, these high mathematics anxiety students were divided into two subgroups in relation to whether they had acquired the minimum levels of competence required by the school curriculum. Results: Pearson’s correlation coefficient shows an inverse relationship between the level of mathematics anxiety and the score obtained in the math test. However, the subgroup analysis shows that, compared to their peers who had not acquired the expected skills, students who are both highly math anxious and good math achievers present an equivalent high fear of judgement but a significantly higher interest in studying mathematics. Mathematics anxiety, even when high, does not necessarily prevent the acquisition of math skills. Discussion: The data are discussed in light of the different interpretations that students can provide of their state of anxiety when faced with the difficulty of the task to be solved: it is likely that interest in studying mathematics can counterbalance the fear of an unwanted judgment. Conclusions: Ultimately, results suggest taking proper account of individual heterogeneity of math anxious students and highlight the need to adopt a teaching approach that considers individual differences in the management of emotions.

Fear of COVID-19, problems accessing medical appointments, and subjective experience of disease progression, predict anxiety and depression reactions in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Objectives: Only one community-based study has assessed religious group involvement and health outcomes among South Asians in the U.S., with mixed results. Here, using a large, South Asian community-based sample, the effects of six religious group involvement predictors – religious tradition, attendance, group prayer, giving/receiving congregational emotional support, congregational neglect, and congregational criticism – were examined in relation to four health outcomes: self-rated health, positive mental health functioning, trait anxiety, and trait anger. Design: The study used a new religion/spirituality questionnaire in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis Among South Asians Living in America (MASALA), the largest study of mental and physical well-being among U.S. South Asians. Associations were assessed cross-sectionally using OLS regression in both the full sample (N = 928) and a subsample of congregation members (N = 312). Results: Jains reported better self-rated health compared to Hindus and Muslims. Group prayer involvement, when measured ordinally, was positively associated with self-rated health and mental health functioning. In reference group comparisons, individuals who participated in group prayer once/day or more had lower levels of anxiety and anger compared to several comparison groups in which individuals prayed less than once a day. Religious service attendance was associated with higher levels of anxiety. Giving/receiving congregational emotional support was positively associated with self-rated health and mental health functioning, and inversely associated with anxiety. Congregational criticism was associated with higher levels of anger and anxiety. Conclusions: This study provided a new assessment of religious group involvement and health in the U.S. South Asian population. Religious group participation was associated with mental and self-rated health in well-controlled models, indicating this is a fruitful area for further research. Group religious involvement may be a health-promoting resource for U.S. South Asians who are religiously active, but it is not an unalloyed boon.

Background: Emotional and motivational factors are fundamental in the context of sport, as they directly relate to sports performance and anxiety. Methods: The present study aimed to analyze the relationships between motivational climate (MC), emotional intelligence (EI), and anxiety within a sample of footballers playing at a low level. The sample was composed of 282 registered football players aged between 16 and 18 years old (16.96 ± 0.77), playing in the lower tier in the province of Jaen (Spain). Data were self-reported, with participants responding to the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2), the Schutte Self-Report Inventory (SSRI), and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The results showed that footballers who reported higher levels of state anxiety and trait anxiety also demonstrated lower EI and more negatively perceived and regulated their emotions. Moreover, an ego-oriented climate was associated with higher levels of anxiety, while a task-oriented climate was related to lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of EI. No relationship was identified between the emotional aspects of young footballers and holding a motivational orientation toward an ego climate. Conclusions: Football players who more greatly perceived a task-oriented climate had higher EI and usually reported lower levels of anxiety related to sport performance. It is therefore important to promote intrinsic motivations and develop the capacity of footballers to regulate their own emotions.

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is a prevalent photosensitivity condition associated with psychological distress. Objective To examine patients with PLE for evidence of anxiety and depression, the influence of demographic and clinical variables, and the coping strategies used. In a cross-sectional design, patients with PLE (n = 145) who had attended a hospital dermatology department completed validated questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, social anxiety, and coping strategies. Clinical variables examined were: (i) number of months of the year affected by PLE; (ii) facial involvement; (iii) time taken for the rash to resolve; and (iv) whether the patient ever used steroids for their condition. Participants ranged in age from 16-78 (mean 44 years, SD 11.9), 81% female, with a mean age at onset of PLE of 28 years. Evidence of high levels of anxiety and depression was found in PLE, with 22% and 8% of patients scoring as probable cases for anxiety and depression, respectively. Higher levels of anxiety were associated with younger age of onset of PLE (r = -0.25, P < 0.01) and facial involvement (t = 2.84, P < 0.01), and depression was also associated with facial involvement (t = 3.60, P < 0.01). Furthermore, higher levels of depression and anxiety were associated with the use of maladaptive coping strategies, and depression was found to be the principal predictor of quality of life. High levels of anxiety and depression occur in PLE. Clinicians should be alert to the potential need for psychological management, particularly in patients with facial involvement and a younger age of onset of PLE.

The article examines the relationship between levels of self-confidence and anxiety among young football players in the context of high-achieving sports. The purpose of the work was to determine the levels of self-confidence and anxiety in sports competitions, as well as to reveal the relationships between these indicators. 18 football players, aged 16-17, who trained at the DYSSH-15 base in Kyiv, took part in the study. The Illinois Self Evaluation Questionnaire was used to assess psychological and physiological anxiety, and the Sports Competition Anxiety Test was used to assess anxiety in sports competitions. The results showed that a high level of psychological anxiety was found in 22.2% of athletes, while a high level of physiological anxiety was absent. The greatest discrepancy was observed at a low level of anxiety: 27.8% of athletes have a low level of psychological anxiety, and 72.2% have a low level of physiological anxiety. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between psychological and physiological anxiety (0.68) and a significant positive relationship between physiological anxiety and competition anxiety (0.60). The largest negative correlation was found between physiological anxiety and self-confidence (-0.31). Overall, the results highlight the importance of developing psychological support strategies to reduce anxiety and increase self-confidence among young athletes.

Evaluating the anxiety levels and adjustment of inmates in jails is a crucial aspect of understanding the experiences and challenges faced by this vulnerable population (Atasheneh &amp; Izadi, 2012). Inmates often encounter a range of stressors, such as social isolation, lack of autonomy, and exposure to violence, which can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders (Wedgeworth, 2016). Addressing the mental health needs of incarcerated individuals is essential, as high levels of anxiety can negatively impact their overall well-being, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration into society upon release (Zaid, 2020). This study explored the relationship existing between anxiety and adjustment levels of inmates in Odiongan District Jail. The results are used toward the development of an intervention program that would help inmates lessen their anxiety levels and increase their adjustment inside prison. A mixed method of research was used which involved quantitative and qualitative analysis. Standardized tests were used to obtain quantitative data while in-depth interviews were conducted among 168 inmates from Odiongan District Jail, Romblon. The results showed that there is no significant relationship between the anxiety and adjustment levels of inmates. Also, there is no significant difference in the anxiety levels of inmates according to their profile variables. However, it was found that inmates who committed crimes against chastity have a higher level of adjustment. From this, a proposal for a mental health intervention program was created to improve inmates’ health adjustment and to lessen their anxiety inside prison. Keywords: Anxiety level, adjustment level, mental health intervention, inmates of Romblon, Philippines DOI : 10.7176/RHSS/15-2-06 Publication date : February 28 th 2025

The aims of this prospective study were to investigate levels of anxiety and depression in patients with a solitary intracranial neoplasm before and after surgery, and to determine if relationships exist between high levels of anxiety or depression and the hemispheric location of the tumour, the tumour type or patient gender. Patients aged between 17 and 79 years with a solitary intracranial neoplasm completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) before and after biopsy or resective tumour surgery. A control group of non-brain-damaged subjects also completed the HAD before and after lumbar spinal surgery. Of the 109 patients with a brain tumour 30 and 16% demonstrated the likely presence of anxiety and depression, respectively, according to HAD scoring criteria. A greater proportion of females with a left hemisphere tumour reported higher levels of emotional disturbance than any other group of patients; relationships between dysphasia and levels of anxiety or depression were not significant. Patients with a meningioma had higher levels of anxiety and depression as measured by the HAD than those with any other tumour types. Levels of both anxiety and depression were significantly lower after tumour surgery according to the HAD.There were no significant differences in HAD scores between (a) left and right hemispheric tumour groups, and (b) the tumour and control ( n = 20) groups. This study has found that anxiety and depression as measured by the HAD are relatively uncommon in patients with an intracranial neoplasm, and that levels of mood disturbance do not differ significantly from those in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery. Levels of anxiety and depression become lower after surgery in patients with a brain tumour. Patterns of anxiety and depression in patients with a brain tumour appear to differ from those reported in stroke.

The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of personal and reactive anxiety in patients with ischemic artery disease within a year, depending on the method of treatment. A survey of 215 patients with ischemic heart disease was conducted in the departments of cardiology, interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery of the MI «Dnepropetrovsk Regional Clinical Center of Cardiology and Cardiosurgery DRC» in 2010 - 2016. All patients underwent invasive coronary angiography and were administered conservative or surgical treatment - aortocoronary bypass grafting or stenting of the coronary arteries. The level of anxiety was determined by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) three times: in the initial stage of treatment, at three months and 1 year after treatment. It is determined that at the initial stage, when the treatment strategy is determined, the level of personal and reactive anxiety is high in most patients. The lowest level of anxiety is observed in patients who are prescribed coronary artery by pass grafting, in the second place - patients waiting for stenting of the coronary arteries, the highest level of anxiety in patients with drug treatment (p<0.001). Three months after the administered treatment, the level of anxiety of patients of different groups still requires additional attention and correction. A year later, patients with surgical revascularization of the myocardium no longer experience significant anxiety. The tendency to a high level of anxiety in patients with non-surgical approach to treatment is traced for a year and requires an additional medical correction of their psycho-emotional state.

The purpose of the study. To assess the levels of situational and personal anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in conditions of comorbidity with arterial hypertension (AH). Materials and methods. The study included 92 male patients with COPD. Of these, 63 patients with COPD in combination with hypertension. The diagnosis of COPD verified and the severity assessed in accordance with the GOLD criteria. The Spielberger-Hanin scale used to assess the level of situational and personal anxiety. Results. It s found that men with COPD in conditions of comorbidity with hypertension are characterized by statistically significantly higher values of the average score of both situational and personal anxiety on the Spielberger-Hanin scale. In this group of examined patients, patients with indicators of situational and personal anxiety corresponding to a high level and less often to a low level of anxiety were significantly more common. Among men with COPD of the IV st., persons with high levels of situational and personal anxiety were significantly more common. Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrated a high level of anxiety disorders in COPD patients, especially in people with comorbidity with hypertension and a positive relationship between the level of anxiety and the severity of the disease.

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Introduction: The gymnastic disciplines abound in difficult and risky technical elements. Excessive anxiety is a factor which can have a destructive effect on the athlete both at the stage of motor learning, as well as when performing during competitions. Anxiety is a natural human emotion, but whether it has positive or negative influence on an individual’s performance clearly depends upon its level. Aim of the study: The study aimed to determine the level of anxiety (as state, cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety) among male and female gymnasts in situations before starting competitions and before training when mastering new, difficult elements. The following research questions were formulated: • Does the level of anxiety in the participants during learning new elements differ from the level of anxiety before starting to compete? • Does the level of somatic anxiety in the gymnasts during learning new elements differ from the level of anxiety before starting to compete? • Does the level of cognitive anxiety in the gymnasts during learning new elements differ from the level of anxiety before starting to compete? • What is the level of trait anxiety characteristic of the participating gymnasts? Material and method: Twenty eight people were assessed (14 women and 14 men) who professionally practice gymnastic disciplines. The average age of respondents was 18 years. All subjects were competing at championship level and had been practicing their sport for a minimum of 10 years. The Spielberger’s self-evaluation questionnaire (State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory, STAI) and the Smith’s, Smoll’s, Schutz’s Reaction to Competing Questionnaire (The Sport Anxiety Scale, SAS), as adapted to Polish by Krawczyński, were used in the research. Results: By adopting the criterion of statistical difference p  0.05 it was proven that there are statistically significant differences between the level of anxiety before training and before competition: state anxiety (p=0.033), somatic anxiety (p=0.004), and cognitive anxiety – attentions disorders (p=0.011). When analysing the average values of the participants, it was noted that they are characterised by an average trait anxiety level. Conclusion: The participating athletes who train in gymnastic disciplines are characterised by an average level of trait anxiety. The gymnasts experience stronger anxiety before competition than during a demanding training session.