DIGIT SPAN - AN INDICANT OF TRAIT OR STATE ANXIETY

Clinical psychologists generally interpret lower scores on Digit Span (DS) relative to other Wechsler subtests as indicating anxiety. Research findings on this topic are inconsistent and difficult to interpret because of ambiguity with regard to the concept of anxiety. A conception of anxiety is proposed that elaborates on the distinction, initially proposed by R. B. Cattell and I. H. Scheirer (see 36:1) between anxiety as a transitory state (A-state) and as a relatively stable personality trait (A-trait). The relationship between DS performance and measures of A-trait (Taylor MA scale) and A-state (Zuckerman Adjective Checklist) for 72 male undergraduates is evaluated. Ss reporting high levels of A-state showed significant decrements in DS performance. There was no difference in the DS performance of high- and low-A-trait Ss. (25 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.