Author(s): Michael Banasky, Katharine Tesar, Cammille Smith
Mentor(s):
Institution SUU
Anxiety is a widespread issue, but its direct causes remain unclear. As anxiety levels increase, the need for effective coping strategies also grows. While medications and therapeutic techniques are widely used, many coping mechanisms are either anecdotal or inaccessible. Breathing exercises have been studied for their potential to reduce anxiety over time (Bentley et al., 2023). This study examines the short-term effects of a brief controlled breathing exercise on the anxiety levels of college students (planned N=150). Participants first complete a state anxiety assessment (Marteau & Bekker, 1992). Then, they either engage in a 2.5-minute controlled breathing exercise or sit quietly for the same duration (i.e., the experimental control). Afterward, participants report their state anxiety levels on the same measure and trait anxiety levels (Ree et al., 2008). Additional data on demographic information, identification with their college community (Hohman & Hogg, 2011), and need for cognitive closure (Roets & Van Hiehl, 2011) are also collected. We hypothesize that participants will experience a significant reduction in state anxiety following the breathing exercise, particularly those with higher baseline anxiety, compared to the control group. It is expected that both state and trait anxiety will be associated with students’ identification. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of short-term coping mechanisms for anxiety and their broader implications in behavioral psychology, education, and daily life. Findings could inform practical strategies for managing anxiety in both academic and personal contexts.