Predicting Speech State Anxiety from Trait Anxiety, Reactivity, and Situational Influences

Abstract

Extensive research has been conducted to look at the patterns of speech state anxiety over time (Behnke & Sawyer, 1998 1999 2000 2001a 2001b; Sawyer & Behnke, 1999). In these studies, speaker state anxiety is measured at four key psychological moments, called milestones, occurring before, during, and immediately after speaking. The resulting patterns have been related to underlying psychological processes, including those described by Gray (1982). The purpose of the present study was to use Kenny and Zautra's (1995) Trait-State-Error (TSE) model to partition the variance in multiwave data for the public speaking milestones cited above in consecutive public speaking events. Results indicate that speech trait anxiety accounts for 52% of the variance in state anxiety milestone data, anxiety reactivity contributes 27% to the prediction, and situational influences add another 20% variance in the dependent variable. The remaining 1% in the model is attributed to random error of measurement.

Keywords:

• State Anxiety
• Trait Anxiety
• Anxiety Reactivity
• Public Speaking Situations
• Multiwave Data

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kay B. Harris

Kay B. Harris (MS, Texas Christian University, 2003) is a former graduate student in the Department of Communication Studies, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX 76129-8045.

Chris R. Sawyer

Chris R. Sawyer (PhD, University of North Texas, 1992) is an associate professor

Ralph R. Behnke

Ralph R. Behnke (PhD, University of Kansas, 1966) is a professor in the same department.