In this paper, we aimed to discover the compilation of effects that anxiety has on different elements of life, so that we could better understand how to cope with its influence. Previous research has predicted how sexual trauma, academic performance, and codependency are all impacted by anxiety. In our first (correlational) study, we tested the strength of these relationships by examining naturalistic daily changes in their variables longitudinally over a period of one week. We measured sexual trauma with a traumatic rumination scale, academic performance by using an academic performance scale, codependency by using three codependency scales, and Anxiety with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Based on the strength of correlation found between anxiety and codependency in our correlational study, we then conducted a second (experimental) study to test for a causal relationship between these two variables. Over a period of one week, we randomly assigned participants each day to either do a guided meditation or scroll through social media. Using a single-blind procedure, we then measured the effect this manipulation had upon codependency. Data pooled across participants in our correlational study showed significant correlations of anxiety with academic performance and codependency, but not with sexual trauma. Data pooled across participants in our experimental study failed to establish a causal role of anxiety on codependency. Our experimental study showed only one significant relationship which occurred in the opposite direction that we predicted (see Table 2). The findings from our study revealed that was no large impact of anxiety on codependency. However, considering the significance of the results from our correlational study it could be suggested that the real-world implications of this research may highlight a relationship between anxiety and reduced functionality - predictive qualities for people with anxiety.
