Baseline verbal fluency performance as predictor of state anxiety during a live hand-grenade throwing exercise – A prospective study of Swedish military conscripts

• Main Authors: Bäckström Martin, Michel Per-Olof, Larsson Magnus R, Johanson Aki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-08-01
• Series: Behavioral and Brain Functions
• Online Access: http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions.com/content/3/1/39

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We investigated whether individual differences in baseline executive control capacity could predict state anxiety during a potentially life-threatening situation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>19 Swedish military conscripts were assessed during two measurement occasions. During a baseline measurement, data regarding performance on a letter fluency task and state anxiety were assessed. During a second measurement, performed immediately prior to participation in a live hand-grenade throwing exercise, data regarding state anxiety was assessed. All participants were male, right-handed and had fulfilled 12 years of education.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The level of state anxiety was significantly increased between the two measurement occasions (<it>p </it>< .01). Both the number of words produced (<it>β </it>= -.37; <it>p </it>< .05) and the number of perseveration made (<it>β </it>= .43; <it>p </it>< .05) on the verbal fluency task predicted, while controlling for state anxiety at baseline, the level of experienced state anxiety during the threatening situation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although more research is needed the present finding suggests that individual differences in executive control capacity might be related to emotion regulation ability during acute stressor exposure.</p>