Temporal Changes in and Countermeasures for Anxiety with Campus Life of Physical Therapy Freshmen

Abstract

Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the temporal changes in anxiety with campus life using the College Life Anxiety Scale in order to propose countermeasures. [Subjects] Eighty-eight physical therapy freshmen.[Methods] Freshmen were surveyed in May, October, and the following February.[Results] Anxiety with daily living was lower in October than in May. However, maladjustment to college gradually became higher and was significantly higher in February than in May. There were no significant changes in anxiety in the assessment and total score. The freshmen seemed to have become accustomed to daily campus life during the first half of the academic year.[Conclusion] The results suggest anxiety over the possibility of exam failure tended to increase at the end of the academic year. Students with anxieties concerning their ability and aptness for physical therapy need to be identified early, and interviewed frequently to allay the examination anxiety.