Uncertainty intolerance, worry, and cognitive test anxiety in university students

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of our research is to determine the relations between; intolerance of uncertainty, worry and test anxiety into a non-clinical sample. Methods: Our research consists of 174 students studying Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various departments of the Uskudar University. Intolerance of uncertainty scale, cognitive test anxiety scale, and Penn State worry scale have used for collecting data. Inter-scale relations were examined by correlation and regression analysis methods. For scores obtained from scales compared to socio-demographic data statistical techniques have been used such as independent sample t-test and ANOVA. Results: According to the findings, there is a strong and positive correlation between test anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty and worry. Female students’ uncertainty intolerance and test anxiety levels were higher than the male students. On the other hand, in terms of variables such as age, income and shelter preferences, the students’ exam anxiety did not differ significantly. Conclusions: The researches show that the higher intolerance of uncertainty which is a cognitive vulnerability, leads to higher levels of both worry and anxiety. In addition, intolerance of uncertainty has known as a consistent indicator of pathological worry. In light of this information, in our research, it is found that high intolerance of uncertainty and worry caused the test anxiety. The reason why both female students and students with higher success rankings are more intolerant of uncertainty may be related to their upbringing and their role in society and role models.