Magnitude of general anxiety disorder among nursing students and its associated factors

Abstract

Background

University training in nursing together with other student variables can increase the risk of anxiety in students. It is important to assess the student's level of anxiety, which can have repercussions on their training and mental health. There are several validated tools such as the generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD‐7).

Objective

To know which factors are associated with the appearance of anxiety and which protect against it in university nursing students.

Method

A cross‐sectional descriptive study was carried out in which 170 university nursing students from University of Jaén participated. A bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed, calculating odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine which factors were associated with a higher score on the GAD‐7 questionnaire, and therefore with the presence of anxiety.

Results

In total, 66.5% (113) of the students have suffered an anxiety crisis on some occasion and 48.8% (83) of the students did not carry out activities of any kind to control anxiety and stress. Practicing religious and spiritual beliefs increased the probability of having anxiety compared to those who did not have religious beliefs (aOR = 3.92; 95% CI = 1.09, 14.08), as well as having previously suffered an anxiety crisis (aOR = 5.13; 95% CI = 2.39, 11.04). Protective factors against anxiety appear to be second‐year students (aOR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.16, 0.72) and being deeply satisfied with the teaching staff (aOR = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.79).

Discussion/Implications for practice

Knowing the factors that are associated with the appearance of anxiety is necessary to facilitate early detection and care in nursing university students.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

General Anxiety Disorder is present in the university population, especially in nursing students as well as other health degrees. Currently in the Spanish context, a tool has been validated and thus exists to screen for those students affected by this problem. Besides, this research allows focusing on associated factors that increase the risk of developing anxiety in nursing university students. In addition, knowing the factors that may prevent this problem from appearing will provide useful input for lecturers as well as clinical practitioners to detect students at risk or even with symptoms early and put in place a treatment faster to prevent the symptomatology from worsening.