Overexcitability and anxiety among physical education students in Palestine: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Physical education students face unique academic and performance-related demands that may increase vulnerability to psychological distress. Overexcitability (OE), a construct reflecting heightened psychological responsiveness, has been linked to emotional intensity and stress sensitivity, yet its relationship with anxiety among physical education students remains underexplored, particularly in conflict-affected contexts such as Palestine. Objective This study aimed to examine the relationship between overexcitability and anxiety among physical education university students in Palestine and to explore differences across demographic and academic characteristics. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in August 2025 among 192 undergraduate physical education students enrolled in universities in the West Bank. Participants completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Dabrowski’s Overexcitability Questionnaire (OEQ). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses, t-tests, ANOVAs, and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine associations between overexcitability domains and anxiety. Results Overall overexcitability was significantly and positively correlated with anxiety ( r = 0.336, p < 0.001). All five OE domains: intellectual, emotional, sensory, imaginational, and psychomotor were significantly associated with higher anxiety scores. Female and younger students reported significantly higher anxiety levels. Students who were identified as gifted or talented athletes exhibited higher levels of overexcitability without corresponding reductions in anxiety. Despite elevated anxiety indicators, utilization of psychological counseling services was low. Conclusion The findings suggest that heightened overexcitability is associated with increased anxiety among physical education students, highlighting psychological intensity as an important vulnerability factor in this population. Athletic engagement alone may not be sufficient to buffer anxiety when overexcitability is high. These results underscore the need for targeted, culturally responsive mental health screening and interventions within physical education programs, particularly in contexts of chronic sociopolitical stress.