Abstract

Professors at small liberal arts colleges in the United States undergo different pressures by committing to a college’s department, institution, and profession. Faculty members experience a range of responsibilities as well as their own pressures, such as the stress of obtaining tenure to conducting and publishing their research. These commitments and pressures can cause faculty members to experience anxiety both physically and psychosocially. This study examines how sleep, religious commitment, and relationships may affect social anxiety and death anxiety for faculty members. Participants were professors of all ages and genders who teach at The College of Wooster. The sample also included professors with tenure status and professors without tenure. The results of this study revealed that faculty members who have better sleep quality significantly experience less death anxiety. Additionally, those who have more social support from family, friends, and significant others experience significantly less social anxiety. There were no significant correlations found between religious commitment and any variables. Sleep was not found to correlate with social anxiety, and tenure status was not a significant predictor of any variables. Limitations, including sample size and survey logistics, were noted and should be considered for future studies. Findings from this study indicate that professors with high levels of death anxiety should use sleep as a mechanism or preventative of this anxiety. Findings also imply that increased social support outside of the workplace can lessen one’s social anxiety.

Advisor

Hope, Meredith

Department

Psychology

Disciplines

Health Psychology | Psychology | Religion | Social Psychology

Keywords

sleep, social support, religious commitment, social anxiety, death anxiety, faculty members

Publication Date

2024

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2024 Angelina Bolivar