Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2018

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Dr. Anne Barnfield

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between birth order and anxiety regarding the transition from high school to becoming a university student. Participants were categorized based on their biological birth order, psychological birth order, and living location. Participants’ state anxiety, trait anxiety, and self-esteem were measured and analyzed for predictable patterns in birth order and anxiety level. No statistically significant results were observed but results trended towards middle children scoring lowest on anxiety and self-esteem, youngest children scoring highest on anxiety and self-esteem, and firstborn and only children scoring similarly on anxiety but only children having slightly lower self-esteem. Results were consistent with past research which explains this phenomenon by the type of perfectionism fostered by being in a particular birth order.

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