The impact of virtual environment on physiological reactivity and perceived physiological arousal among students with public speaking anxiety and the mediating role of safety behaviors

The overarching goals of the present study were to examine whether individuals with high levels of public speaking anxiety (PSA) would demonstrate higher physiological reactivity and perceive higher physiological arousal to public speaking in a virtual reality (VR) environment than individuals with low PSA levels and whether this relationship would be mediated by safety behaviors. The sample in this study consisted of 81 students at Reykjavik University (62 females and 19 males), median-split into two groups (high vs. low PSA). Participants delivered an impromptu speech in front of a virtual reality audience while physiological reactivity was assessed using heart-rate variability. Perceived physiological arousal as well as public speaking anxiety in the virtual environment were assessed with self-report questionnaires. No group difference based on the subjects’ PSA levels was found on physiological reactivity measures in the VR environment. However, those with high PSA levels perceived greater physiological arousal in the virtual environment and the relationship was shown to be mediated by safety behaviors. In addition, participants felt immersed in the VR environment, as both PSA levels reported equally high levels of presence. Future studies and clinical implications of these findings in treatment of PSA are discussed.

Author dc:creator

• Karen Kristinsdóttir 1995-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Félagsfælni
• Framkoma
• Lífeðlisfræði
• Psychology
• Social phobia
• Performance
• Human physiology

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/33242

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/33242