The interaction model of anxiety: An empirical test in an examination situation.

Abstract
The interaction model of anxiety was tested in an examination situation. Undergraduate students (56) completed the self-report [S-R] Behavioral Reactions Questionnaire (BRQ), a measure of A-state [anxiety state], and measured their pulse rates prior to an important psychology exam. Two weeks later, under nonstressful conditions, subjects again completed the BRQ and measured their pulse rate. In addition they completed the S-R Inventory of General Trait Anxiousness (S-R GTA), a measure of A-Trait. The differential hypothesis of the interaction model of anxiety predicted a significant interaction between interpersonal (ego-threatening) A-Trait (high vs. low) and the ego-threatening situation (exam), in affecting A-State arousal, but no significant interaction between the other facets of A-Trait (physical danger, ambiguous and innocuous) and the threatening exam situation. When pulse rate was used as the dependent variable the congruent interpersonal A-Trait by ego-stress exam situation interaction was significant at P < .008. When BRQ was used as the dependent variable the F-ratio for this interaction was only at the P < .086 level. Except for the physical danger A-Trait by situation interaction (P < .043) for BRQ scores, none of the remaining 6 non-congruent person-by-situation interactions was significant. The pulse rate results provide confirmation for the differential predictions of the interaction model of anxiety. The BRQ results are equivocal. Subjects responded differentially to the 4 situations of the GTA and in general the results provide confirmation for the multidimensionality of A-Trait.

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