Self-reported body-rocking and other habits in college students.

A brief survey of eight motor habits, including body-rocking, was administered to two large samples of college undergraduates. A subsample was retested to establish survey reliability and validity. Those indicating engagement in body-rocking were interviewed about their body-rocking. Two psychopathology instruments were administered. The general prevalence of self-described body-rocking was higher than expected, and there were positive correlations among the eight habits. Body-rocking was usually related to negative affect and usually reported to begin during the school years and later. Many individuals said other family members engaged in body-rocking. Psychopathology assessments indicated higher levels of general distress and higher prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in this subsample compared with a group not reporting body-rocking.