Influence of Neuroticism and Locus of Control on Anxiety Among Students in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Anxiety is a negative state of mind resulting from conflicts and frustration experienced within ourselves. Anxiety often leads to undesired consequences like stress, confusion, fear, insecurity, distress, and panic. The most common causes of anxiety are perceived lack of control over one's life and fear of being wrong. Anxiety related to academics and career are major concern experienced by students especially in higher education institutions. Since they are exposed to many novel situations, there is a higher risk among them interpreting these situations as threatening. The present study aims to understand how neuroticism and locus of control together predict anxiety among students. A cross-sectional design is used in the study and data on anxiety, locus of control and neuroticism among adolescents and young adults were collected. It was found that neuroticism and LoC significantly predicts anxiety suggesting the need for early interventions and a positive and inclusive environment to modify the dysfunctional thought processes associated with neuroticism and external locus of control.