Abstract
Background and Objectives: A substantial portion of students report test anxiety, and those reporting low levels of self-efficacy seem to be especially affected. Previous research has indicated the relevance of mental images in the maintenance of anxiety disorders, however, no data are available with respect to test anxiety. In order to close this gap, the present study investigates the association between test anxiety, self-efficacy and mental images.Method: One hundred sixty-three university students completed an online survey. Test anxiety (PAF), general self-efficacy (WIRKALL-r), study-related self-efficacy (WIRK_STUD), intrusiveness of mental images (IFES), spontaneous use of imagery (SUIS) and vividness of imagery (VVIQ) were examined.Results: Test-related mental images were frequently reported among the surveyed students. Test anxiety showed a positive correlation with IFES and a negative correlation with self-efficacy. Mediation analyses showed that about one fifth of the influence of self-efficacy on test anxiety is mediated by IFES.Discussion: The present study gives first indication about an association between test anxiety, self-efficacy and mental images, even though the results are limited with respect to generalizability. Further investigations with respect to the impact of test-related mental images on the self-efficacy/test-anxiety linkage are needed.
Highlights
Test anxiety is a common phenomenon among pupils, college students, and university students, with occurrence rates between 20 and 40% being reported among students [1, 2]
55.8% of the entire sample reported adverse mental images associated with test anxiety
The present study is one of the first to investigate the occurrence of mental images in the context of test anxiety among university students
Summary
Test anxiety is a common phenomenon among pupils, college students, and university students, with occurrence rates between 20 and 40% being reported among students [1, 2]. Distorted perceptions of the exam, its relevance, and its outcome are commonly reported with associated difficulties in concentration Those affected by test anxiety typically report feelings of despair, hopelessness and failure, and panic-like physiological reactions such as accelerated heart rate, Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy and Mental Images bladder and intestinal activation, sweating, and nausea. For many other anxiety disorders mental images associated with the feared situation or object are welldescribed [13]. Recent research indicates the occurrence of prospective images that are associated with situations in the future not yet experienced, but in the case of anxiety disorders, feared. Previous research has indicated the relevance of mental images in the maintenance of anxiety disorders, no data are available with respect to test anxiety. In order to close this gap, the present study investigates the association between test anxiety, self-efficacy and mental images
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