What is the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)?

The STAI is a psychological inventory consisting of 40 self-report items on a 4-point Likert scale. It was developed to measure anxiety as both a temporary state and a stable trait. The STAI is one of the most widely used measures of anxiety in research and clinical practice.

Who developed the STAI and when?

Developed by Charles Spielberger, Richard Gorsuch, and Robert Lushene in 1970 at the University of South Florida. It has since been translated into over 60 languages and is used worldwide.

What are the two types of anxiety measured?

• State Anxiety (S-Anxiety): Temporary feelings of apprehension, tension, nervousness, and worry that vary in intensity and fluctuate over time. This measures how you feel "right now, at this moment."
• Trait Anxiety (T-Anxiety): Relatively stable individual differences in anxiety proneness - the tendency to perceive stressful situations as dangerous or threatening. This measures how you "generally feel."

What symptoms and areas does the STAI assess?

• Emotional responses: Feelings of calmness, security, tension, worry
• Cognitive symptoms: Overthinking, confusion, indecisiveness
• Physical symptoms: Nervousness, jitteriness, restlessness
• Behavioral indicators: Difficulty relaxing, feeling upset or troubled
• Self-perception: Confidence, self-assurance, contentment

How is the STAI scored and interpreted?

Each subscale (State and Trait) has 20 items scored from 1-4. Total scores range from 20-80 for each subscale:

• 20-37: Low anxiety
• 38-44: Moderate anxiety
• 45-54: High anxiety
• 55-80: Very high anxiety

Clinical and Research Applications

The STAI is extensively used in:

• Clinical assessment and treatment monitoring
• Research on anxiety disorders and stress
• Educational and occupational settings
• Evaluation of intervention effectiveness
• Screening for anxiety-related problems

What makes the STAI unique?

The STAI's distinction between state and trait anxiety is crucial for understanding individual differences in anxiety responses and for treatment planning. State anxiety is expected to fluctuate depending on situational stress, while trait anxiety represents a more stable personality characteristic.