Roles of State and Trait Anxiety in Physical\r\nActivity Participation for Adults with\r\nAnxiety Disorders

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Physical activity has benefits for reducing levels of anxiety. However, factors that\r\naffect physical activity participation for individuals with anxiety disorders have not been well studied.\r\nHere, we aimed to clarify the roles of state and trait anxiety in physical activity participation by examining\r\nrelationships among seven major study variables in Taiwanese adults with anxiety disorders.\r\nMethods: A multi-site, cross-sectional explanatory design was used. Data were collected using one interview\r\nand five self-administered questionnaires. The sample included 144 Taiwanese adults diagnosed\r\nwith anxiety disorders.\r\nResults: State and trait anxiety were significantly correlated with most of the study variables. Physical\r\nactivity participation by subjects with anxiety disorders was significantly correlated with state anxiety, benefits\r\nof activity, self-efficacy for activity, and social support for activity. When age, sex, and education were\r\ncontrolled in the analysis, state anxiety was associated significantly and negatively with physical activity,\r\nbenefits of activity, and self-efficacy for activity, and was correlated positively with barriers to activity. Trait\r\nanxiety was found to be correlated significantly and negatively with benefits of activity and self-efficacy for\r\nactivity, and correlated positively with barriers to activity.\r\nConclusion: State anxiety demonstrated greater power than trait anxiety in its relationship with physical\r\nactivity. These findings suggest that clinical mental health professionals should consider state anxiety\r\nwhen encouraging Taiwanese adults with anxiety disorders to engage in physical activity. [J Formos Med\r\nAssoc 2009;108(6):481–492]