A Comparative Study of Anxiety Levels and Manifestations Among Early and Late Adolescent Students

This quantitative comparative investigation evaluated and contrasted levels of state-trait anxiety and generalized anxiety symptoms between early and late adolescent cohorts (N = 100). A cross-sectional comparative survey design was employed using standardized psychometric instruments: the 40-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7). Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-square independence analyses revealed no statistically significant differences in overall anxiety scores between early and late adolescents across all dimensions (p > .26). However, over 47% of participants across both groups met clinical severity cut-offs ?10on GAD-7). State and trait anxiety demonstrated a robust positive association (? = 0.81, p < .001). The findings underscore an urgent imperative for universal, stage-independent psychological screening and preventive mental health frameworks within educational environments.