Anxiety among male nursing students in a Saudi University

Anxiety and eventually depression are primary concerns in the academic life of students. When ignored, this anxiety may subsequently lead to more serious mental health problems that could imperil the educational experience of the students and worst making them unable to finish their studies. Objectives: This study determined the anxiety perceived by male nursing students using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory or STAI scale when compared to their profile variables such as year level, units enrolled, student status, history of traumatic experience and presence of an academic problem. Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized using the STAI scale as survey instrument among male nursing students (n=100) at a Saudi University. Results: It showed that regarding year level, student status and presence of an academic problem, they are significantly correlated whereas, for units enrolled in a semester and history of traumatic experience, no correlation exist. Discussions: The STAI scale determined the 'present state' of anxiety term as 'state anxiety' as well as 'the response to anxiety' in the future termed as 'trait' anxiety.' Both the 'state' and 'trait' anxiety of the participants, when compared to their profile variables, are diverse showing that their response to anxiety at present may vary in the future. Conclusion: Individual reactions to anxiety are unique to each of the participant, and the academic environment of the students influences their responses and coping. (c) 2019 The Authors. Published by IASE.