International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2015 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY To Study the Anxiety Level and Self-Concept among Army Personnel Rajesh Kumar 1 , Roshan Lal 2 , Beenu Varma 3 1 Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, P.G. Govt. College, Sector-46, Chandigarh, India 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India 3 Research Scholar, Department of Psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India Abstract: Anxiety means the nervousness, unpleasant state of inner feelings. Anxiety, worry and stress are all a part of most people’s life today. Simply experiencing anxiety does not mean that person needs some help but excessive anxiety leads to anxiety disorders. Army personnel face unique risks in service and may lead to anxiety and due to increase in anxiety level this leads to low self concept among them. The aim of present research was to study the anxiety level and self concept of army personnel posted at Baramula, Doda, Kargil and Leh-laddak regions of J&K. The data consisted of 80 army personnel of age group of 20 to 39 years with educational qualifications as +2 to graduation. Two tools were used as Sinha’s Comprehensive Anxiety Test and self-concept questionnaire. The obtained results revealed that there lies significant difference between high and low anxiety groups on all the dimensions of self-concept questionnaire. Keywords: Anxiety, Self-concept, Army personnel 1. Introduction Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear apprehension and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave, and they can manifest real physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, having a serious impact on daily life. People often experience a general state of worry or fear before confronting something challenging such as a test, examination, recital or interview. These feelings are easily justified and considered normal. Anxiety is considered a problem when symptoms interfere with a person‟s ability to sleep or otherwise function. Generally speaking, anxiety occurs when a reaction is out of proportion with what might be normally expected in a situation. People with anxiety disorders present a variety of physical symptoms in addition to non-physical symptoms that characterize the disorders such as excessive, unrealistic worrying. Many of these symptoms are similar to those exhibited by a person suffering general illness, heart attack or stroke and this tends to further increase anxiety. There are certain physical symptoms like trembling, churning stomach, headache, backache, heart palpitations, numbness or “pins and needles” in arms, hands or legs, restlessness trouble concentrating irritability, muscle tension, staying asleep etc. Anxiety may be caused by environmental factors, medical factors, genetics, brain chemistry, substance abuse, or a combination of these. Usually anxiety is a response to outside forces, but it is possible that we make ourselves anxious with “negative self-talk” – a habit of always telling ourselves the worst will happen. Lenvis defines anxiety as “an unpleasant emotion experienced as dread, scare, alarm, fright, harrow or panic” (1970:63). The army personnel post at J&K, experience physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, and sleeplessness, as a result, they become anxious and irritable. Under these situations the anxious army personnel develops some desire to avoid decisions, problems or changes at work. Army person‟s resistance to stress is a product of many different factors, including the persons‟ physical health, mental health, and social support. The adoption or maintenance of health- promoting behaviors such as physical exercise, proper diet, adequate rest and restraint from excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine, should be encouraged. Military training exercises are designed to be stimulating combat conditions; however, soldiers may not be adequately prepared to deal with anxieties. Good communication between and among soldiers and leaders is crucial to prevent anxiety. Military leaders can reduce the role conflict and role ambiguity by developing clear job descriptions and involving subordinates in the development of meaningful and achievable personal and unit goals. In the Indian Army, unfortunately occupation related anxiety, and associated hazards are increasing day by day. Various statistical surveys show that the prevalence of stress and anxiety among Army personnel have been causing many harmful impacts on the society, which is a warning that cannot be ignored, “Every third day a soldier commits suicide and every tenth day another is killed by a colleague running amok. The growing stress level results in mental illness, resulting in suicide and killing of fellow soldiers have caused an alarm among army forces. (Tribune News, 2007) Self concept is self-evaluation or self-perception and it represents the sum of an individual‟s beliefs about his or her own attributes. Self concept is the values and beliefs as well as attitudes and opinions the individual has of himself. Self- concept reflects how an adolescent evaluates himself or herself in domains in which he/she considers success important. The army persons can have positive self-concept in some domains like controlling terrorism, establishing peace and comfort for the mass and can have negative self concept Paper ID: SUB152665 79