Predictors of feelings of anxiety in graduate allied health students an exploratory study

The objective of this study was to take a multi-domain approach to predict feelings of anxiety among graduate allied health students. Participants (n=77) from a small university in upstate New York completed a series of questionnaires [International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF), Rapid Eating Assessment of Participants-Short Form (REAP-S), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI), Profile of Mood Survey-Short Form (POMS-SF), Trait and State Mental and Physical Energy and Fatigue Survey], and their resting metabolic rate, fat free mass and muscle oxygen saturation levels were measured. A backwards linear regression was used to identify predictors of anxiety. Our model predicted 28.1% of variance with women reporting greater feelings of anxiety. Poor sleep quality, increased sedentary behavior, and low trait physical energy were all significant predictors of increased feelings anxiety. Our results suggest that educators should attempt to reduce in class sitting time and promote better sleep hygiene. Additionally, researchers should examine barriers and burdens female students face that increase feelings of anxiety.