Symptom Profile Characterization Using the Beck Anxiety Inventory Among Undergraduates in the United States

Abstract

Background: The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is widely used to measure the severity of anxiety. This tool may additionally allow for an in-depth analysis of symptom typology, as reported symptoms can be placed into four categories (subjective, neurophysiologic, autonomic, and panic-related). Although overall severity ratings in populations may be similar, the type of symptoms reported as severe may differ dependent on characteristics of the populations assessed. Objectives: This study examines the variety of anxiety symptoms manifested among U.S. university students and the impact of symptom typology on seeking treatment. Design: This was an online survey completed by undergraduate students in the United States, responding to questions including the BAI. Results: A multivariate logistic regression analysis model showed that the likelihood of students seeking treatment increased when they experienced more “subjective” anxiety symptoms, odds ratio (OR) = 2.443, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.462, 4.082], p = .001, as compared to symptoms in the other three categories. Students were also asked to report which symptoms were “most bothersome” to them. Many students reported difficulty sleeping and an inability to concentrate. These symptoms are not measured by the BAI. Conclusion: The results of this study show the potential for the BAI to be used as a symptom categorization tool to be considered independently in identifying target areas for treatment. An understanding of the existence of these gaps may allow providers to better identify students with anxiety who present with symptoms not included in the BAI.