EFFECTS OF ANXIETY ON COGNITION

Abstract

Anxiety has been one of the leading causes of mental illness world-wide. Previous research suggests that anxiety can affect the processes of cognitive functioning due to the chronic stress of anxiety. This can manifest through inability to focus, difficulty concentrating, incapacity to stay on task etc. This thesis will explore how anxiety effects different cognitive functioning such as working memory, prospective memory and episodic memory. The effects of anxiety on academic performance and the effects of social media on anxiety will also be discussed. The manuscript will propose a future study that will examine of the effects of social media use on anxiety, depression and cognitive ability in adolescent children. Participants aging from 12-17 will be split into two groups. Half of the participants in each age group will be exposed to social media for 30 minutes a day for all 5 weeks. Participants who are in the control group will have all social media apps removed from their devices. At the end of each week, participants will send in their average screen time and overall time on social media apps. All participants will take a cognitive assessment, and two self-report inventories to measure anxiety and depression at the beginning and end of the study. Given the literature in the field, it is expected that those exposed to social media will be negatively affected by the 30 min per day regimen. Anxiety and depression levels are expected to increase while the score on the cognitive assessment will decrease.