Family variables influencing test anxiety of students preparing for the university entrance examination


Yildirim I.

EURASIAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH, vol.8, no.31, pp.171-186, 2008 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 8 Issue: 31
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Journal Name: EURASIAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.171-186
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The Problem: Examinations constitute a significant source of stress in adolescent's lives (Peleg and Klingman, 2002). Exams are central to the Turkish educational system. The Student Selection Examination (SSE) causes a considerable degree of stress among young persons seeking access to undergraduate programs. Prevalence of test anxiety among these students is at an alarming 42% (Yildmm, 2007). Alleviating these students' anxiety levels will only enhance their academic performance but also eliminate some of the debilitating influences anxiety has in their lives. There are studies reporting links between family environment and test anxiety (e.g., Ahlawat 1989; Peleg, 2002; Zeidner, 1997). On the other hand, interventions are often designed merely for the students. Such interventions almost always neglect to include families.