THE APPLICATION OF THE GAD-7 AS AN ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT FOR GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER WITHIN THE SCOPE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61164/5ch3zs09

Keywords:

Transtorno de Ansiedade Generalizada; Terapia Ocupacional; GAD-7; Reabilitação Psicossocial.

Abstract

Generalized anxiety disorder represents one of the most prevalent mental health problems in the contemporary population, characterized by excessive worry and disabling physical symptoms that significantly compromise individuals’ functioning and quality of life. Occupational therapy emerges as a relevant therapeutic approach in the treatment of these disorders, promoting the rehabilitation of physical, cognitive, and social skills through meaningful activities. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) instrument is a validated psychometric tool for screening and assessing generalized anxiety, making it possible to objectively measure symptom severity. Objective: to analyze the influence of anxiety disorder in students of a federal technical high school, using the GAD-7 scale and its relationship with occupational therapy, as well as the occupational therapy interventions that can be implemented based on the results obtained with the instrument. Methodology: this is a quantitative study, with a descriptive and exploratory design, aimed at identifying levels of anxiety symptoms and their relationship with aspects of occupational performance in occupational therapy students. Results: the quantitative analysis included sociodemographic profile, score distribution, and classification of participants according to the GAD-7. The sample consisted of 41 participants, 73.1% female and 26.9% male. Age ranged from 18 to 54 years, with a mean of 31.7 years. The age distribution showed a predominance of the 18–25 and 26–35-year groups. The most affected domains were nervousness/tension, excessive worry, and irritability. Women showed higher mean scores (13.2) compared to men (9.1). Conclusion: the data revealed that younger students and women present greater emotional vulnerability and a predominance of moderate and severe anxiety, which significantly influences the results, especially due to study overload, multiple activities, and financial insecurities

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Author Biographies

  • Arthur Machado Santos Sesconi, IFRJ

    Estudante do ensino médio integrado ao curso de Administração no Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus São Gonçalo, bolsista de iniciação cientifica do CNPq. Possuo habilidades comunicativas exemplares, com proficiência em português, inglês intermediário e espanhol básico. Sou motivado e aberto a novas experiências e oportunidades no mundo acadêmico, buscando sempre expandir meus conhecimentos e contribuir ativamente em projetos e atividades escolares.

  • Gabriel Ferreira dos Santos, ISAFAC

    Graduated in Media from the Federal Fluminense University. Currently an intern at the Official Press of Rio de Janeiro, where he works as a video producer and editor. He performs volunteer work in the extension program "Expressive Therapy," applying audiovisual techniques as an alternative treatment in the oncology department of the Antônio Pedro University Hospital. He is currently in the 5th semester of the Occupational Therapy program. He is also a student member of the Transdisciplinary Approach, Research, and Intervention Group in Occupational Therapy (GAPITTO) at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), and has been a volunteer since 2025 in the project: Inclusion of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety from an academic perspective in high school

  • Mariana Torres Fernandes da Costa, ISAFAC

    Graduated in Law from Estácio de Sá University (2007), with experience in the legal field. Currently in career transition, enrolled in Occupational Therapy at the AFAC Higher Institute, attending the 5th semester of Occupational Therapy. She is a student member of the Group for Transdisciplinary Approach, Research, and Intervention in Occupational Therapy (GAPITTO) at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), and has been a volunteer since 2024 in the project: Inclusion of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety in the academic perspective in high school linked to the IFRJ's Dean of Research and Innovation. Her goal is to integrate legal knowledge with the promotion of health and human rights, with a focus on inclusive and interdisciplinary practices

  • Thauana dos Santos Fernandes, Centro Universitário do Rio de Janeiro

    Graduated in Occupational Therapy from the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Rio de Janeiro. Conducted research in the field of tuberculosis, with an emphasis on occupational therapy. Master's degree in Science from UFRJ, works in the municipality of Queimados in the field of pediatrics, researcher at the Group for Transdisciplinary Approach, Research, and Intervention in Occupational Therapy (GAPITTO) at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ)

  • JARDEL AUGUSTO DUTRA DA SILVA LEMOS, UERJ

    PhD in Education from UFRJ, with an emphasis on childhood studies, focusing on light and shadow play. Master’s degree in Education, Culture, and Communication from UERJ. Specialist in Knowledge and Practices in Basic Education with an emphasis on Contemporary Art Teaching (UFRJ). Also holds specializations in Art Therapy and School Management. Bachelor’s degree in Dance (UFRJ) and a teaching degree in Geography (UERJ). Currently pursuing a teaching degree in Visual Arts (Faveni). His main areas of work include: Education, School, Childhood, Didactics, Cultures, Art Therapy, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and the adaptation of educational materials for children with ASD. Full Member of the Municipal Council of Culture of Rio de Janeiro. Substitute Professor at the Faculty of Teacher Training (FFP) at UERJ. Former Dance Education teacher in formal education and early childhood education settings, working with both Early Childhood and Elementary School levels. In 2025, he released the books 32 Letters to the Master of Hope and Shadow and Light Play, both published by CRV Publishing.

     

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Published

2025-12-10

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 02 (2025): REMUNOM - ISSN 2178-6925

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Arthur Machado Santos Sesconi, Gabriel Ferreira dos Santos, Mariana Torres Fernandes da Costa, Thauana dos Santos Fernandes, JARDEL AUGUSTO DUTRA DA SILVA LEMOS, Angela Maria Bittencourt

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How to Cite

THE APPLICATION OF THE GAD-7 AS AN ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT FOR GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER WITHIN THE SCOPE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. (2025). REMUNOM, 21(02), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.61164/5ch3zs09