The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64623

Stephen L. Brown, PhD, Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University, Mailcode 4632, Carbondale, IL 62901-4632, 618-453-1863, slbrown@siu.edu

Since the terrorist attacks of 2001, more public attention has focused on recognizing and dealing with fears and anxiety. However, even prior to these events, anxiety and associated fears were recognized as the leading clinical mental health problems in the U.S (Kessler et al, 1994; et al, 1993). In addition, subclinical symptomotology can also cause apprehension, life disruption, and other suffering. Several national polls have attempted to identify American?s greatest fears. The most frequently cited is the March 2001 Gallup Poll, which asked respondents to simply check any and all that cause them fear. The two most common were snakes (51%) and public speaking (40%); the remaining top ten were primarily other phobias. Most of these polls do not include important fears identified by research including fears of: death, danger, violation, failure, and other ego threats. What is also not considered is variations in reported fears by gender and various subpopulation. This study examined differences in reported fears among male and female college students at two public universities before and after the terrorist attacks of 2001. Participants rated each of thirty potential fears on a 10-point scale. Results showed failure and other ego threats were toward the top of the list followed by death, danger and violation fears. Specific or modern phobias, often reported on national polls, had the lowest means. Women reported higher means for all but two fears. Five fears increased after September 2001: flying, war, crime, crowding, and confined spaces. No differences were observed between the universities.

Learning Objectives:

• Following this session, the participant (learner) will be able to:
• 1.List and explain fears identified in the literature as common.
• 2.Identify weaknesses of oft-cited national polls and ways to strengthen fear research.
• 3.Discuss possible explanations for differences in fears among various subpopulations.
• 4.Describe available techniques to deal with the most common fears.

Keywords: College Students, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.