Abstract

Anxiety in the workplace is a major human resource problem. Adverse outcomes in organizations include employee wellbeing, healthcare, and productivity costs. The World Health Organization reports that over 300 million people suffer disorders directly associated with anxiety, costing the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity: $30 billion in the United States, $51 billion in Canada, and £26 billion in the United Kingdom. The most substantial limitation in the measure of anxiety is the overlap of anxiety and depression symptoms. The structure and psychometric properties of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), renowned for its ability to distinguish between depression and anxiety symptoms, are tested with a sample of 416 working participants from various industries in the U.S. This study is the first time the BAI will be analyzed using employee respondents. Results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the BAI four-factor model (neurophysiological, subjective, panic, and autonomic) provided the best fit. Individual scale analyses further show that most of the participants self-reported mild to moderate anxiety levels. Mild to moderate anxiety levels contribute to diminished functioning, distress, and higher risks of diagnosable disorders. Suggestions regarding coping mechanisms, practical implications, and future research are discussed.

摘要

工作场所的焦虑是一个主要的人力资源问题。组织中的不利结果包括员工福利、医疗保健和生产力成本。世界卫生组织报告称，超过 3 亿人患有与焦虑直接相关的疾病，每年给全球经济造成 1 万亿美元的生产力损失：美国 300 亿美元，加拿大 510 亿美元，英国 260 亿英镑。焦虑测量的最大限制是焦虑和抑郁症状的重叠。贝克焦虑量表 (BAI) 的结构和心理测量学特性以其区分抑郁和焦虑症状的能力而闻名，该量表对来自美国各个行业的 416 名工作参与者进行了测试 这项研究是首次使用员工受访者对 BAI 进行分析。验证性因素分析结果表明，BAI 四因素模型（神经生理、主观、恐慌和自主）提供了最佳拟合。个人规模分析进一步表明，大多数参与者自我报告了轻度至中度的焦虑水平。轻度到中度的焦虑水平会导致功能下降、痛苦和可诊断疾病的更高风险。讨论了有关应对机制、实际意义和未来研究的建议。个人规模分析进一步表明，大多数参与者自我报告了轻度至中度的焦虑水平。轻度到中度的焦虑水平会导致功能下降、痛苦和可诊断疾病的更高风险。讨论了有关应对机制、实际意义和未来研究的建议。个人规模分析进一步表明，大多数参与者自我报告了轻度至中度的焦虑水平。轻度到中度的焦虑水平会导致功能下降、痛苦和可诊断疾病的更高风险。讨论了有关应对机制、实际意义和未来研究的建议。