State anxiety and trait anxiety associated with social anxiety in university students

The present study examines the relationship between state anxiety, trait anxiety, and social anxiety among students enrolled in a private university in South Lima. The research design employed was correlational, utilizing a nonexperimental cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 449 male and female university students, aged 18 to 30, enrolled in psychology and law programs from the third to eleventh cycle. The participants completed an online survey utilizing two validated instruments: the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults (CASO-A30). Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the purpose of data analysis. The findings indicated a stronger correlation between state anxiety and social anxiety than between trait anxiety and social anxiety. The mean scores for state anxiety and trait anxiety were both moderate, with trait anxiety exhibiting a slightly higher mean score. Approximately 29.84% of students reported high levels of state anxiety, while 25.39% reported high levels of trait anxiety. Significant differences were observed in anxiety levels based on age, career, and study cycle, but not on gender. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a positive and highly significant correlation between state anxiety, trait anxiety, and social anxiety among university students. State anxiety exhibited a stronger association with social anxiety than trait anxiety.