Analysis of the arachnophobia level based on contact with spiders and the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire

Joanna Kapustka

Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8175-7299

Damian Zieliński

University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8175-7299

Patrycja Borowiec

University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Student Scientific Association of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Section of Animal Therapy and Animal Care, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3278-7966

Damian Gos

University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Student Scientific Association of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Section of Animal Therapy and Animal Care, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3671-2507

Wiktoria Czupryna

University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Student Scientific Association of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Section of Animal Therapy and Animal Care, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6890-9419


Abstract

Arachnophobia is one of the most common phobias in society. The study was based on an online survey and a stationary study. The questionnaire was completed by 364 respondents. In the first part the respondents determined their level of arachnophobia on the Likert scale (IOA, individual assessment of arachnophobia), and in the second part completed the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ). Near 50% of respondents declared fear of spiders. There was a positive correlation between the FSQ results and IOA. In stationary study took part 7 women. Before the study, they completed the questionnaire from the first part of the study. During the study, the participants observed three spiders and the moult. Before, during, and after the study heart rate was measured. The mean score of the FSQ study was 103 and IOA scored between 5 to 7. The mean heart rate during contact with spiders was 113 bpm. Contact with spiders was a stressful situation, but the heart rate decreased just after 5 min.

Keywords:

stress, spiders, arachnophobia, Fear of Spiders Questionnaire

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Published
2023-12-15



Joanna Kapustka 
Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8175-7299
Damian Zieliński 
University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8175-7299
Patrycja Borowiec 
University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Student Scientific Association of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Section of Animal Therapy and Animal Care, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3278-7966
Damian Gos 
University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Student Scientific Association of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Section of Animal Therapy and Animal Care, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3671-2507
Wiktoria Czupryna 
University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Student Scientific Association of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Section of Animal Therapy and Animal Care, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6890-9419



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