Anxiety symptoms among extension professionals' during the COVID-19 pandemic with the GAD-2. (Special Issue: Space, place, and COVID-19.)

ABSTRACT

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are a common mental health disorder but often remain undetected and undertreated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Extension professionals have worked hard to address emerging issues that communities face, possibly impacting the amount of anxiety they experience. This study determined the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among Extension professionals in the United States. Participants from 24 states completed a survey containing the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2) screener. Almost one-quarter of Extension professionals had a GAD-2 score greater than three, an indicator of anxiety with a possibility of generalized anxiety disorder, which is similar to that of the general population. Also, female and male Extension professionals were about equal in the prevalence of anxiety symptoms, which is contrary to the literature. Extension administrators should consider ways to help their employees with this anxiety, especially during and after traumatic events.