Relations between trait anxiety and cognitive behavioral avoidance in college students

This research aimed to investigate the relationship between the trait anxiety level, the cognitive behavioral avoidance level and it's sub-dimensions' levels of university students according to some demographic characteristics. For this purpose, "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - Trait Anxiety Form" and "Cognitive Behavioral Avoidance Scale" and, "Demographic Questionaire Form" were applied to 396 university students, ranging in age from 18 to 27. In the results of the research, it was observed that the level of trait anxiety of the university students was moderate, and the cognitive behavioral avoidance level was not to indicate a psychopathology. Male's cognitive behavioral avoidance levels were significantly higher than females and cognitive behavioral avoidance levels of low-income participants were significantly higher than middle-income participants. With a more detailed view; it apeared that males have significantly higher cognitive social and cognitive nonsocial avoidance levels but behavioral social and behavioral nonsocial avoidance levels did not differ in gender. Additionally, it was concluded that the trait anxiety level has a positive relationship with cognitive behavioral avoidance and all sub-dimensions of cognitive behavioral avoidance (behavioral social, behavioral nonsocial, cognitive social, cognitive nonsocial). Trait anxiety level did not differin; age, gender, marital status, place of residence and perceived income level furthermore, cognitive behavioral avoidance level was not significantly different between age, marital status and place of residence. The intention of the study is to create a source for future studies on anxiety and avoidance levels in university students.