INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NOISE POLLUTION AND ANXIETY

Abstract

There is a constant interaction between human beings and environment. Environmental factors may affect humans positively, although some other negative effects may also arise. For example, noise pollution is one of the physical parameters that may negatively affect human organism. Showing up in industrialized countries, noise attracts attention as a significant pollution factor. Noise pollution leads to many diseases as it influences physiological processes in the body. It also triggers some psychological disorders by influencing human psychology. One of those disorders is known as anxiety. Noise can shape one's cognitive assessments causing the brain to respond with the feeling of distress or anxiety. Whether or not noise will cause anxiety depends on many variables, such as personality, coping strategies and the person's previous mental status. It is also known that noise is associated with phobic anxiety as well. Based on the given circumstances, this study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety and the noise existing in educational settings. A qualitative design; descriptive research was used in the study. The sample of the study consists of 339 students studying8 at Okan University. The study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, noise level was detected in various places located in Okan University using the Cesva DC311 model device with T240385 serial number while in the second stage the Beck Anxiety Inventory was applied to students with the aim of investigating the relationship between noise and anxiety. The data obtained from the research were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS 21.0 version). Following the analyses carried out, it has been found that individuals are more likely to have anxiety problems in places where higher noise levels exist.