What is trait anxiety?

Trait anxiety refers to a relatively stable personality trait that reflects an individual's tendency to experience anxiety across various situations and over time. It is characterized by generalised feelings of nervousness, apprehension, and worry that are not necessarily tied to specific external stressors. Individuals with high trait anxiety are more likely to perceive potentially stressful situations as more threatening and respond to them with increased psychological and physiological arousal.

Trait anxiety is often assessed using self-report measures, such as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which differentiate between temporary, situation-specific anxiety (state anxiety) and more enduring, dispositional anxiety (trait anxiety). People with high trait anxiety tend to exhibit negative biases in their attention, interpretation, and memory processes, leading them to more readily detect potential threats and negative aspects of their environment. They may also have a heightened startle response and more difficulty returning to a relaxed state after experiencing stress.

Trait anxiety is distinct from state anxiety, which refers to the temporary, fluctuating states of anxiety that individuals experience in specific situations. State anxiety is a normal and adaptive response to immediate threats or stressors, whereas trait anxiety represents a chronic proneness to experience anxiety even in the absence of obvious external stressors.

Understanding and addressing trait anxiety can be important for promoting mental well-being. High levels of trait anxiety may be associated with psychological distress, reduced social functioning, and increased risk of developing anxiety disorders or mood disorders. Interventions that focus on reducing trait anxiety, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and stress management strategies, can help individuals develop coping skills to manage their anxious tendencies and enhance their emotional resilience.