DOES ANXIETY AFFECT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN MEDICAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS?

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of state and trait anxiety on academic performance in medical health care professionals.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at Army Selection and Recruitment Center, Rawalpindi during February to March 2019.

Methodology: Total sample size (N = 152; female n = 116; male n = 36) of medical health care professionals participated in this research. State and Trait Anxiety Questionnaire was administered on candidates of General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) course (doctors) before their preliminary test. The data from participants were analyzed by using bivariate correlation and stepwise multiple regression through SPSS-22.

Results: Results indicated that there was significant positive relationship between state anxiety and trait anxiety; intelligence quotient and academic performance. Trait anxiety was significantly correlated with intelligence quotient, whereas, state anxiety was nonsignificantly related with intelligence quotient. Moreover, there was non-significant relationship between state and trait anxiety with academic performance. Furthermore, trait anxiety (β = -.22, p < .01) and age (β = -.23, p < .01) were significant negative predictors of intelligence quotient. Age (β = -.45, p < .001) was significantly negative but intelligence quotient (β = .15, p < .05) was significant positive predictor of academic performance.

Conclusion: The medical health care professionals might be resilient enough that they easily cope with the situation and perform effectively in their daily activities.