VULNERABILITY TO ANXIETY AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

COUNSELING AND SELF ESTEEM LEVELS AS PREDICTORS

Abstract

This study examined impact of counseling and self-esteem levels on anxiety among medical students. Three hundred and fourteen (314) students who were randomly selected from the population of medical students in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, comprising 152 males and 162 females participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 16 to 34 years. Three instruments were used for data collection; Counseling Rating Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Result of hierarchical multiple regression indicated that counseling was a negatively significant predictor of anxiety among medical students (β -5.32, t = -5.83, p <.001); accounting for 10% variance in explanation of anxiety among medical students. Self-esteem (β = -30, t = -5.59 p < .001) was equally a negative significant predictor of anxiety among medical students; accounting for 8% variance in the explanation of anxiety among medical students. A practical implication of the findings indicates that medical students who receive insufficient counseling and have low self-esteem build up anxiety which in turn affect their life and academic performance. Limitations of the study were stated and suggestions made to guide further studies.