Communication apprehension, state anxiety and behavioral disruption: A causal analysis

Abstract

Although a considerable body of research has accumulated which establishes correlations among communication apprehension, communication state anxiety and behavioral disruption, theoretical speculations regarding the causal nature of those relationships are based mostly on cross‐sectional data. In the present study, data pertaining to all three variables were collected across time and causal models of the relationships were tested. The results of path analysis indicated that behavioral disruption and state anxiety were predictive of subsequent communication apprehension scores. These findings were consistent with expectations based on the “James‐Lange” theory of emotion and the assimilation theory of communication apprehension. On the other hand, no effect on behavior was detected for communication apprehension. Theoretical implications for these findings are discussed.

Key concepts:

• Communication apprehension
• performance anxiety
• behavioral disruption
• path analysis