Anticipatory Anxiety and Psychological Well-Being in Middle-Aged Adults with Claustrophobia
Abstract: Claustrophobia can produce anxiety before exposure to confined environments, but its relationship with psychological well-being remains insufficiently explored. This study examined anticipatory anxiety and psychological well-being among middle-aged Indian adults with claustrophobia and compared individuals with predominant fears of restriction and suffocation. A cross-sectional survey included 12 adults aged 40 to 60 years who reported a diagnosis of claustrophobia. Participants completed the Claustrophobia Questionnaire and Ryff's 42-item Scales of Psychological Well-Being. Moderate anticipatory anxiety was reported by 58.3% of participants, while 83.3% demonstrated moderate psychological well-being. Fear of restriction predominated in 66.7% of participants. Anticipatory anxiety was not significantly associated with overall psychological well-being but showed significant negative correlations with self-acceptance (s = -.79) and personal growth (rs = -.67). Differences between predominant fear groups were not statistically significant. These preliminary findings suggest that anticipatory anxiety may be associated with selected dimensions of psychological well-being. Larger studies using dedicated measures of anticipatory anxiety are needed to confirm these relationships and examine their clinical implications.
Keywords: Claustrophobia; Anticipatory Anxiety; Psychological Well-Being; Fear of Restriction; Fear of Suffocation; Middle-Aged Adults
How to Cite?: Reena Kumari Jain, "Anticipatory Anxiety and Psychological Well-Being in Middle-Aged Adults with Claustrophobia", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 744-748, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR261007092856, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR261007092856