<p>To clarify the mechanism of state anxiety on intertemporal decision-making, two studies were conducted to investigate the role of trait anxiety and inhibitory control. Study 1 examined the moderating effect of trait anxiety. Study 2 continued to investigate the mediating effect of inhibition control on the basis of Study 1. A total of 266 Chinese college students participated. Participants’ state anxiety, trait anxiety and intertemporal decision-making were measured by questionnaires. Inhibition control was evaluated by a two-choice oddball paradigm. The results of Study 1 indicated that state anxiety could predict intertemporal decision-making and that the moderating effect of trait anxiety on this relationship was significant. Study 2 found that inhibitory control could completely moderate the relationship between state anxiety and intertemporal decision-making and that this indirect effect was affected by trait anxiety. Based on the comprehensive results, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1) Individuals with higher trait anxiety are more inclined to make more impulsive and intertemporal decisions when they have a high level of state anxiety; 2) state anxiety allows inhibitory control ability to have a further effect on intertemporal decision-making; and 3) the higher trait anxiety in individuals is, the stronger the mediating effect of inhibitory control on the relationship between state anxiety and intertemporal decision-making.</p>