Individual Differences between in personality and coping style as predictor of Anxiety in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India

Abstract

The current study explored the relationship between personality, coping strategies and anxiety. A correlational study was employed with 50 participants diagnosed with anxiety belonging to 2 and Tier 3 cities of India. Findings indicate a significant positive correlation between anxiety and avoidance coping style (r=.294, p=.038). This suggests that as anxiety increases, there is a higher tendency to use avoidance oriented coping mechanism.  Anxiety was also found to be favorably correlated with neuroticism. Additionally, a strong positive correlation was found between conscientiousness and task oriented coping, neuroticism and emotion focused coping, and openness and avoidance coping. The study therefore established the role played by personality traits and coping strategies in anxiety.   The findings indicate that neuroticism is a risk factor for anxiety while conscientiousness is protective as individuals with conscientiousness are more likely to adapt task oriented coping style.  The result   highlights   the need for   interventions focusing to enhance effective coping strategies and emotion regulation to reduce anxiety and enhance overall well -being.