Social support and anxiety in senior middle school students

Objective To investigate the relationship between social support and state-trait anxiety in senior middle school students. Methods A total of 165 senior middle school students received Social Support Questionnaire and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and social support and anxiety were compared by gender, home address and one-child family. Chi-square test and t test were used for data analysis. Results Utilization of social support showed significant difference between male and female students (t=-1.994, P<0.05). Significant difference of objective support existed between grade one, grade two and grade three (F=0.935, P<0.05). Significant differences of social support (t=-2.039, P<0.05) and subjective support (t=-2.769, P<0.05) were found between urban and rural areas. In different grades, the state and trait anxiety was significantly different (F=3.063, P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between social support and state-trait anxiety (r=-0.376, P<0.05). Conclusion Good social support may help to reduce state anxiety among senior middle school students. Key words: Social support; Anxiety; Emotions