IMPACT OF LIFESTYLE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF ANXIETY AMONGST THE RESIDENTS OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Muaed Jamal Alomar; Amal Mohamed Abdi; Sumaiya Zaman; Hanadi Mohamed Abdi; Ma. Francheska Quicho

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2018v10i2.21241

Authors

Muaed Jamal Alomar College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Ajman University
Amal Mohamed Abdi College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Ajman University
Sumaiya Zaman College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Ajman University
Hanadi Mohamed Abdi College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Ajman University
Ma. Francheska Quicho College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Ajman University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2018v10i2.21241

Keywords:

Anxiety, Lifestyle, DASS42

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of lifestyle on the occurrence of anxiety. Also, to study the determinants of the severity of anxiety.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 100 randomly selected participants.

Results: Many factors were taken into consideration in this study including gender, age, occupational status, marital status, eating habits, physical activity, psychological stress, sleep patterns, medications and smoking habits. Subanalysis of some of the results showed a statistical significance of different aspects of lifestyle affecting levels of anxiety. According to the results found, the lifestyle factors that have significance in the severity of anxiety are psychological stress, exercising, and regularity of exercising (Pearson's Chi-Square test: P<0.001, Pearson's R: P=0.027, Spearman Correlation: P=0.045 respectively). About 50% of participants that stated they have some kind of psychological stress fell within the range of severe to very severe anxiety. The majority of those who exercise (39%) fall in the normal range of anxiety, and the majority of those who do not exercise (34%) are in the very severe anxiety range. Among the 14 participants that stated they exercise every day, 46% of them were in the normal range of anxiety while none of them was in the very-severe range. Also, those who exercise a few times a month are ranged more in the severe anxiety level than those who exercise every day.

Conclusion: Certain lifestyle factors affect the levels of anxiety in various ways. This research clearly identified that a significant percentage of people who have any sort of psychological stress and do not exercise regularly are at a higher risk of developing or deteriorating anxiety.

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