Abstract
BackgroundTest anxiety has been widely found in medical students. Emotion regulation and psychological resilience have been identified as key factors contributing to anxiety. However, studies on relationships were limited. This study investigated the links between psychological resilience, emotion regulation, and test anxiety in addition to exploring the differences about socio-demographic factors.MethodsA sample of 1266 medical students was selected through cross-sectional survey from a medical university in China during 2019. Data were obtained by network technique using designed questionnaire, which assesses the level of test anxiety, emotion regulation and psychological resilience, respectively.ResultsMedical students experienced test anxiety at different levels, 33.7% of these were seriously. It revealed significant effects of the gender and academic performance on test anxiety. Results of logistic regression indicated that test anxiety was significantly associated with emotion regulation and psychological resilience (p < 0.01). Psychological resilience played a mediating role on the relationship between emotion regulation and test anxiety.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of psychological resilience and emotion regulation in understanding how psychological resilience relates to test anxiety in medical students. Resilience-training intervention may be developed to support students encountering anxiety during the exam.
Highlights
Test anxiety has been widely found in medical students
Students with excellent academic performance have developed learning abilities and strategies to cope with examinations, while poor students suffered from unrealistic expectations which may increase excessive anxiety in exam
These findings were consistent with previous studies. In both Moltrecht [31] and Aldao [32] studies, emotional regulation can reduce the anxiety level of individuals caused by stressful events, and promote good psychological adaptation of individuals. These results revealed that students who adopt the emotion regulation strategy will have more positive and healthy mental state, which is conducive in reducing the occurrence of exam anxiety
Summary
Emotion regulation and psychological resilience have been identified as key factors contributing to anxiety. This study investigated the links between psychological resilience, emotion regulation, and test anxiety in addition to exploring the differences about socio-demographic factors. The term “test anxiety”, is considered as a series of psychological and behavioral responses when individual concern about possible failure on the exam or similar assessment situation [1]. It can occur at any phase of exam. Cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression are two commonly investigated strategies that have been associated with emotional responses and cognition processes [8].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
