AROUSAL, ANXIETY AND STRESS

Arousal is a general physiological and psychological activation, varying in intensity along a continuum. Anxiety is a negative emotional state with feelings of worry, nervousness, and apprehension associated with activation of the body.

Defining Arousal, Stress, and Anxiety Trait States

Measuring Arousal and Anxiety Physiological signs (heart rate, respiration, skin conductance, biochemistry) Global and multidimensional self-report scales

Trait and State Anxiety Relationship State anxiety: “Right now” feelings that change from moment to moment. Trait anxiety: A personality disposition that is stable over time. High versus low trait anxious people usually have more state anxiety in highly evaluative situations.

Stress and the Stress Process Stress: A substantial imbalance between physical and psychological demands placed on an individual and his or her response capability under conditions where failure to meet demands has important consequences.

The Stress Process Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

Stress and Stress Process Implications Intervene during any of the four stages of the stress process or cycle.

Sources of Stress and Anxiety Event importance Trait anxiety Self-esteem Situational sources Personal sources Social physique anxiety Uncertainty

Drive Theory

Inverted–U Hypothesis

Anxiety Direction and Intensity An individual’s interpretation of anxiety symptoms is important for understanding the anxiety-performance relationship. To understand the anxiety-performance relationship, both the intensity (how much anxiety one feels) and direction (a person’s interpretation of anxiety as being facilitating or debilitating to performance) must be considered.

Significance of All the Arousal–Performance Views Arousal and state anxiety do not always have a negative effect on performance— they can be facilitative or debilitative depending on the interpretation. Some optimal level of arousal leads to peak performance, but the optimal levels of physiological activation and arousal-related thoughts (worry) are not the same.

Significance of All the Arousal–Performance Views Interaction of physiological arousal and arousal interpretation are more important than actual levels of each. It is doubtful that the optimal level of arousal is always at the midpoint of the arousal scale.

Why Arousal Influences Performance Increased muscle tension and coordination difficulties Attention and concentration changes: Narrowing of attention Shift to dominant style Attend to inappropriate cues

Implications for Practice Interactional Model of Anxiety

Implications for Practice Recognize arousal and state anxiety signs. Tailor coaching strategies to individuals: Different strokes for different folks. Sometimes arousal and state anxiety must be reduced, other times maintained, and other times facilitated. Develop performers’ confidence.

INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY Controlled Breathing Progressive Muscle Relaxation Meditation Visualization and Imagery Exercise Listening to music Other positive methods?

IF THESE INTERVENTIONS DO NOT HELP….. MAKE THE APPROPRIATE REFERRAL