Investigating the Anxiety of Free-Fall Paratroopers and Its Determining Factors: Experience and Personality Traits in a Military Base

Abstract

Background: Skydiving anxiety varies according to individual personality traits. Identifying key factors influencing paratroopers' well-being and performance is essential. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between anxiety and personality traits in free-fall skydivers. Methods: An analytical study was conducted at a military base in Guilan province, Iran, with free-fall paratroopers selected through random sampling. Data were collected using three questionnaires covering demographics, anxiety levels, and personality factors. Results: Fifty-eight paratroopers were assessed; 79.3% were under 30 years old. Free-fall paratroopers exhibited higher levels of extraversion and conscientiousness and lower levels of neuroticism. Trait anxiety was found to be higher among those with neuroticism. Experienced paratroopers displayed higher trait anxiety, with no significant relationship to state anxiety, experience level, or age. Conclusions: High trait anxiety in neurotic paratroopers is meaningful in relation to personality traits examined in this study.