Empowering Adolescents: Exploring the Relationship between Self-Esteem and Test Anxiety

Abstract

Background: Test anxiety is a major cause of student non-performance, despite adequate preparation. This paper is part of a multi-centric youth behavior study project done in 2022 by the Association of Adolescent and Child Care in India (AACCI). Aims: to study self-esteem and test anxiety in school children. Methods: The tools used were RSES- Rosenburg Self-esteem Score (scores >25 are considered high self-esteem and FTAS- Freidben Test Anxiety Scale (scores > 7 are considered significant). Sample: 242 students (10-18 years) studying in a coaching class in Aurangabad (males 53.31%, females 46.69%). Validity & reliability: The RSES - Guttman scale coefficient of reproducibility is 0.92, indicating excellent internal consistency. Test-retest reliability over 2 weeks reveals correlations of 0.85 and 0.88. FTAS- the internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) of the total and the three sub-scales of the FTA (range: .81-.91validity, 0.82 (girls) and 0.84 (boys). It has also been shown to be significantly correlated with peer evaluations of the degree to which test-related stress is experienced (Total: 0.54; Fear of Social Derogation: 0.52; Cognitive Obstruction: 0.64; and Tenseness: 0.78. Ethical issues: This project has been cleared by the AACCI IEC. Parental permission and assent of students were taken. Statistical analysis was done using t-test/ANOVA by GNU PSPP. Results: Analysis of our data showed that this sample had significant mean test anxiety scores: total FTAS (9.19±5.37). SD-Social Derogation (3.84±2.61), CO-Cognitive Obstruction (2.46±2.17), and T-Tenseness (2.88±1.95). Females showed higher scores - total FTAS (10.23±5.10) and SD (4.40±2.54). A strong correlation was found between FTAS score and SD factor across all ages with the strongest positive correlation coefficient for early adolescent female students r (24) =.92, p<.001. Conclusion: Females had higher test anxiety scores, and lower self-esteem scores and will need specific intervention. Being judged by marks affects the self-esteem of adolescents. SD factor was significant across ages in this sample. AACCI conducts awareness programs for parents and teachers to reduce social pressure on children given high SD scores. We also conduct intervention programs for improving CO scores by instilling good study skills and habits and relaxation and stress relief methods to reduce T scores in the context of test anxiety.