I created an anonymous student survey questionnaire about anxiety. This questionnaire was then handed out to 15 grade 8 students, both male and female.
The first page of the questionnaire looked like this;
I had ensured this survey was anonymous so everyone would feel safe and not obligated to write their name.
I had attached an anxiety symptoms checklist for the students to fill out (the checklist reference is at the bottom of the article).
This survey had 15 completed questionnaires handed back to review results.
The results of the questionnaire concluded that 9 out of 15 of the people surveyed have anxiety, which is 60%.
This was deciphered by the anxiety symptoms checklist that I provided on the questionnaire. The average score from the checklist for those without anxiety is 3.66667 out of 36, with a range of 4 (highest is 6; lowest is 2). The average score from the checklist for those with anxiety is 24.4285714286 out of 36, with a range of 17 (highest is 34; lowest is 17).
Out of the people with anxiety, I had asked follow-up questions. I will provide results for each of those questions.
How often do you get anxiety?
Once a month = 0
Numerous times a month = 1
Once a week = 3
Numerous times a week = 1
Once a day = 2
Multiple times a day = 2
What are the main triggers or causes of your anxiety?
31 triggers were listed by 9 people.
Here were the main categories:
School = 14
Family/Friends = 8
Stress = 5
Health = 4
Based on the survey, students mainly worry about school. Their answers indicated that their triggers are due dates, class schedules, tests, presenting in front of people, crazy schedules, piles of work, and assignments.
Students also worry about social life such as family and friends. Their triggers include being ignored, yelling, fighting, being left alone, others being mad at them, not being listened to, and friendship drama.
Students may also have stress as a trigger of their anxiety. Their common triggers are messing up, overthinking things, and unexpected change.
The final subject from the survey is health. The triggers are loneliness, depression, being sick, thinking about death, and food.
Do you feel that you have enough support in your life to deal with your anxiety?
Yes = 5
No = 2
Sometimes = 2
Are you ashamed of your anxiety?
Yes = 2
No = 5
Sometimes = 1
Unanswered = 1
Are you open to talking about your anxiety freely, or do you prefer not to share that part of your life?
Yes = 5
No = 4
For those who said yes, they explained that they only prefer to talk about their anxiety in front of very close friends or people that they trust.
For those who said no, they explained that they did not prefer to share that part of their life with others. Some even said that they think it bothers others, so they prefer not to share.
What exercises/activities help you calm down when stressed?
24 things were listed by 9 people.
Here were the main categories:
Breathing exercises = 3
Go outside = 2
Pray or sing = 3
Talk to others = 2
Do things that they enjoy = 10
(Sports, reading, drawing, listening to music, videogames, playing with pets.)
Other = 4
Anxiety Symptoms Checklist: https://www.mylemarks.com/store/p443/Anxiety_Symptoms_Checklist_%5BTeen%5D_%5BF%5D.html