Autonomy deficits as vulnerability for anxiety: Evidence from two laboratory-based studies

In Study 1, participants (N = 177) viewed an anxiety-inducing film fragment and reported anxiety before and after viewing the clip. In experimental Study 2, participants (N = 100) were randomly allocated to one of two conditions; giving a short presentation to an audience (impromptu speech task) or watching another person’s presentation (control condition). Anxiety was measured at baseline, after a preparation period and directly after the presentation.

Results: In Study 1, individuals’ anxiety in reaction to watching the movie was positively associated to the autonomy-connectedness component sensitivity to others. In Study 2, individuals’ anxiety in reaction to preparing the presentation was negatively associated to the autonomy-connectedness component self-awareness. Conclusions: Specific autonomy components may be related to experiencing anxiety in differing situations (i.e. related to others’ distress or presenting one’s personal views).

Collectively these results indicate that autonomy-connectedness deficits may form a vulnerability factor for experiencing anxiety.