Beck
Anxiety Inventory and the Incidence Rate of Anxiety
Michael
Bell
Carlow
University
Beck Anxiety Inventory and the
Incidence Rate of Anxiety
Introduction
Anxiety is defined as “an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often
marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by
doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about
one's capacity to cope with it (Merriam-Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary (11th edition), n.d.). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth
edition (DSM- IV) states that the criterion for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
(GAD) includes excessive anxiety and worry which occurs for at least 6
months. GAD is characterized by the
subject finding it difficult to control the worry and it typically presents the
following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, muscle tension,
insomnia, and irritability (American Psychiatric Association [DSM-IV], 2000).
Narrow, 1988 found that anxiety affects
nearly 19 million Americans. A second study suggests that the incidence rate of
anxiety is nine cases per 1000 persons per year (Murphy et al., 1988). The DSM –IV suggests that anxiety
disorders are one of the most prevalent disorders diagnosed (American
Psychiatric Association [DSM-IV], 2000).
Anxiety can be measured using the Beck
Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The BAI consists of 21 items, each of which describes
a symptom of anxiety. The participant is
asked to rate each of these items based on how much he or she is bothered by
each symptom over the past week on a four-point scale ranging from zero to
three. The items are totaled to obtain a score which can range from zero to 63.
The BAI is recommended for use in an adult population in a clinical or research
setting ("Beck anxiety inventory," n.d. ). Alternative instruments of
measurement for anxiety include the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), the Hopkins
Symptom Checklist (SCL-90), and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD). The BAI was used to measure anxiety in this
study.
Anxiety, if left untreated, can lead to
serious psychological and health consequences. A recent study suggests that in
57% of people who have depression, anxiety disorders preceded the depression
and that in 18%, depression preceded their anxiety disorders (Lamers et al,
2011). There is also a suggestion of comorbidity
with depression. Another recent study found that of subjects with a depressive
disorder, 67% had a current and 75% had a lifetime comorbid anxiety
disorder. Of subjects with a current anxiety disorder, 63% had
a current and 81% had a lifetime depressive disorder (Lamers, 2011). Other studies suggest that anxiety
can lead to increased risk for hypertension and coronary disease because of
hormones released during periods of excess anxiety (Player and Peterson, 2008).
Data from several studies also
indicate an association of headache with anxiety disorders.
A recent study examined 100 migraineres using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire
as a screening tool and found that 37.0% of those participants had generalized
anxiety disorder (Mehlsteibl, 2011).
The purpose of this study is to examine
the incidence of anxiety in a convenience sample comprised of friends and acquaintances
to the graduate student researchers.
Methods
Participants
Seventy-four friends and acquaintances
of graduate students in a research methods class participated in the study.
Participants were collected by a sample of convenience. All participants were over the age of
eighteen. Participants had no known
anxiety disorder or preexisting issue with anxiety.
Instruments
This study used the Beck Anxiety
Inventory (BAI: Beck Anxiety Inventory).
The purpose of the BAI is to measure anxiety and to discriminate anxiety
from depression. The BAI is recommended for use in clinical and research
settings with adults age eighteen or older. The BAI has high internal
consistency and item-total correlations ranging from .30 to .71. The correlation of the BAI with the HARS-R
and HRSD-R was .51 and .25. The
correlation of the BAI with the BDI was .48.
Procedures
Sixteen graduate students in a research
methods class approached friends and acquaintances using a sample of convenience.
Participants had no known health concerns and were age eighteen or older.
Participants were provided with informed consent. Participation in the study was used as
consent. Participants were given the BAI and were instructed to complete it to
the best of their ability. Students collected the BAI in a manner to insure
confidentiality and anonymity.
Results
Descriptive statistics were applied to
the data that yielded the following results:
N M MDN SD
74 12.66 9 9.75
This study had a sample of seventy
four participants and found a mean of 12.66, a median of 9 and a standard
deviation of 9.75.
Using one standard deviation, one
and one half standard deviation, and two standard deviations to define slightly
elevated, moderately elevated, severely elevated, the following cut scores are
assigned:
Slightly
elevated: scores that fell between 22.41 and 27.29
moderately elevated: scores that fell between 27.29 and 32.16
severely elevated: scores that fell at or above 32.16
severely elevated: scores that fell at or above 32.16
Cut scores of this study found that 22.5
% of participants had slightly elevated scores, 9.9 % had moderately elevated
scores, and 4.1 % had severely elevated scores.
Discussion
A group of 16 graduate students, in
a research methods class, collected a convenience sample of BAI scores from
friends and acquaintances to explain the incidence rate of anxiety in a
population. The current findings suggest that 4.1% are at significant risk for
anxiety. In addition, 32.4 % of the
sample had scores that would suggest the need for future evaluation to rule out
anxiety disorder.
Prior research suggests that anxiety
disorders affect nearly 19 million American adults (Narrow, 1988). Another
study using data gathered in a 16-year
follow-up of an adult sample found an incidence
rate for anxiety disorder and depression to be approximately nine cases per
1,000 persons per year. Incidence
tended to be higher among relatively young persons. A prevalence rate of approximately 10% to 15% was
found for depression and anxiety
disorders aggregated together
(Murphy et al., 1988).
This study did have some
limitations. First, this study used a small sample size that was not random and
also used a sample of convenience. Secondly, standardized procedures were not
used when administering the BAI and participants were given only one measure of
anxiety. Also, it is unknown if participants’ anxiety was situational.
Future research should use a larger
sample size as well as a random sample.
More than one measurement of anxiety should be incorporated and
standardized procedures should be utilized when administering the study.
References
American Psychiatric Association
(2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental
Disorders (Revised 4th ed.).
Washington, DC: Author.
Lamers, F., van Oppen, P., Comijs,
H. C., Smit, J. H., Spinhoven, P., van Balkom, A. M., &
Penninx,
B. H. (2011). Comorbidity patterns of anxiety and depressive disorders in
A
large cohort study: The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA).
Mehlsteibl, D. D., Schankin, C. C.,
Herring, P. P., Sostak, P. P., & Straube, A. A. (2011).
Anxiety
disorders in headache patients in a specialized clinic: prevalence and
symptoms
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Headache
and Pain, 12(3),
323-329.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.). (2005).
Springfield, MA: Merriam Webster.
Murphy, J. M., Oliver, D. C.,
Monson, R. R., Sobol, A. M., & Leighton, A. H. (1988). Incidence
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Depression and Anxiety: The Stirling County Study. American Journal of Public
Health, 78(5), 534-540.
Narrow, W. E., Rae, D. S., Reiger,
D.A., NIMH epidemiology note: prevalence of anxiety
disorders.
One-year prevalence best estimates calculated from ECA and NCS data.
Population
estimates based on U. S. Census estimated residential population age 18
to
54 on July 1, 1998. Unpublished.
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