| Tests and evaluations are ubiquitous in modern life, and test anxiety is problematic for many individuals. This empirical dissertation integrates the diverse perspectives of Rational-Emotive-Behavioural and Cognitive Behavioural/Schema Focused Therapies, Psychoanalysis, and Psychophysiology on Test anxiety. Undergraduates' (N = 80) Test anxiety, State and Trait Anxiety, Loci of Control, Irrational Beliefs, Early Maladaptive Schemata, Mature, Neurotic, and Immature Defenses, and Psychophysiological Stress Profiles were measured. Trait Anxiety, the Impaired Autonomy/Competence Early Maladaptive Schema Domain, the Irrational Beliefs of Need for Comfort, Need for Approval, and Need for Achievement, as well as Neurotic-Level Defenses and Splitting, showed a significant relationship with Test anxiety (R2 = .52; p < .001) and fit well with the data (R2adj = 45%). Of these variables, Neurotic Defenses, Need for Comfort, Trait Anxiety, and Splitting made significant individual contributions. Internal Locus of Control was significantly negatively correlated both with Test anxiety and with many of the variables related to Test anxiety. Psychophysiological responses were not related to Test anxiety. Although males' and females' scores on Test anxiety-Total and Test anxiety-Emotionality subscales did not differ significantly, females had significantly higher scores on the Test anxiety-Worry than did males. The implications of these findings for the development of test anxiety treatment interventions and further research are discussed. |
