PECULIARITIES OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE OVERALL LEVEL AND STRUCTURE OF PERSONAL ANXIETY AND MENTAL RIGIDITY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PSYCHOMOTOR ACTIVITY
DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2026-23-1-79-96
D.V. Plotnikov, A.A. Kotikov, I.A. Belskikh,
E.V. Levchenko, A.I. Zdanovich
Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russian Federation
Abstract. Background. In an individual, psychomotor activity is formed as a complex psychological subsystem for initiating and controlling movements through the integration of psychomotor performance and personal traits. However, the mechanisms of this relationship remain unclear, especially given that personal anxiety and mental rigidity have a multicomponent structure. The relevance of this issue is increasing, as the accentuation of integral personality traits is being a risk factor for psychosomatic disorders. Objective. To determine the overall level and structure of personal anxiety and mental rigidity and to identify the subjects with accentuated traits; to determine the specific influence of the identified characteristics of these traits on human psychomotor activity. Materials and methods. The study involved 200 virtually healthy volunteers aged 21-25 years. They were divided into the groups with normal or accentuated levels of personal anxiety and mental rigidity, and the components of these traits were determined using special psychometric tests. The accuracy and balance of anticipatory and delayed reactions were measured under conditions of monotonous and increasing stimulation using an RDO (Visual-Motor Reaction) setup. The data were assessed using Student criterion, correlation analysis, and factor analysis with Kaiser Varimax rotation. Results. In the cases of subjects with separate or combined accentuation of personal traits, a decrease in the effectiveness of visual-motor reactions was observed under both monotonous and increasing loads (decreased accuracy and balance of responses to stimuli). In subjects with accentuated personal anxiety, the changes were more pronounced and were associated with the predominance of components related to neuropsychic excitability and lack of self-confidence. The weakening of attention mobilization and the accelerated development of fatigue were also noted. In cases of accentuated mental rigidity, the activity effectiveness was higher and was associated with affective and motivational rigidity. The degree of decrease in psychomotor performance was more significant under increasing stimulation. Conclusion. The effectiveness of psychomotor activity depends on the type of motor load, as well as the severity and structure of personal traits. These findings are important for professional selection in operator activities and for developing methods to correct accentuated personality traits and achieve stress resistance
Keywords: personal anxiety, mental rigidity, visual-motor reaction (RDO), attention, stress resistance, correlation analysis, factor analysis
There is no conflict of interest.
Contact information of the author responsible for correspondence:
Dmitry V. Plotnikov
plotnikovdv@kursksmu.net
Received 27.11.2025
For citation: Plotnikov D.V., Kotikov A.A., Belskikh I.A., Levchenko E.V., Zdanovich A.I. Peculiarities of the influence of the overall level and structure of personal anxiety and mental rigidity on the effectiveness of psychomotor activity. [Online] Vestn. Ural. Med. Akad. Nauki. = Journal of Ural Medical Academic Science. 2026, Vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 79–96. DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2026-23-1-79-96 (In Russ)
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Authors
Dmitry V. Plotnikov
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Сhair of the department of Psychiatry
plotnikovdv@kursksmu.net
Andrey A. Kotikov
Assistant lecturer of the department of Psychiatry
kotikovaa@kursksmu.net
Irina A. Belskikh
Ph.D., Associate Professor of the department of Psychiatry
belskikhia@kursksmu.net
Elena V. Levchenko
Ph.D., Associate Professor of the department of Psychiatry
levchenkoev@kursksmu.net
Anna I. Zdanovich
Assistant lecturer of the department of Psychiatry
zdanovichau@kursksmu.net
Kursk State Medical University
Kursk, Russian Federation