Study of examination-related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central Karnataka

Background: Worldwide, test anxiety is a common health problem among medical students. The magnitude of problematic test anxiety ranges from 0% to 52% in undergraduate medical students and has a detrimental effect on the academic achievement and success of students. Data on the prevalence of test an...

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Main Authors: B M Sindhu, Abhinandan S Kumbar, K J Shashank, B M Rashmi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-01-01
Series:Dentistry and Medical Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.dmrjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2348-1471;year=2023;volume=11;issue=1;spage=21;epage=25;aulast=Sindhu
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author B M Sindhu
Abhinandan S Kumbar
K J Shashank
B M Rashmi
author_facet B M Sindhu
Abhinandan S Kumbar
K J Shashank
B M Rashmi
author_sort B M Sindhu
collection DOAJ
description Background: Worldwide, test anxiety is a common health problem among medical students. The magnitude of problematic test anxiety ranges from 0% to 52% in undergraduate medical students and has a detrimental effect on the academic achievement and success of students. Data on the prevalence of test anxiety among medical students are limited in this geographic area. Thus, the study aimed to assess the prevalence of test anxiety among medical students and the coping methods for the same. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 medical undergraduate students using Google Forms. Test anxiety was measured using Westside Test Anxiety Inventory and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: 15.7% of students had potentially concerning levels of anxiety. Examination stress was significantly less among those who practiced yoga/meditation/breathing exercises/physical exercises, did not use tobacco/alcohol, and did not do net browsing for stress relief. A negative correlation was seen between preuniversity course marks and Westside test anxiety scores (Spearman's rho = −0.230, P < 0.01) and BAI scores (Spearman's rho = −0.047, P > 0.05). Conclusion: A significant number of medical students had higher anxiety levels before exams.
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spelling doaj.art-237e7e16ff644e00993c865491128ae62024-01-18T11:28:05ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsDentistry and Medical Research2348-14712023-01-01111212510.4103/dmr.dmr_26_23Study of examination-related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central KarnatakaB M SindhuAbhinandan S KumbarK J ShashankB M RashmiBackground: Worldwide, test anxiety is a common health problem among medical students. The magnitude of problematic test anxiety ranges from 0% to 52% in undergraduate medical students and has a detrimental effect on the academic achievement and success of students. Data on the prevalence of test anxiety among medical students are limited in this geographic area. Thus, the study aimed to assess the prevalence of test anxiety among medical students and the coping methods for the same. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 medical undergraduate students using Google Forms. Test anxiety was measured using Westside Test Anxiety Inventory and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: 15.7% of students had potentially concerning levels of anxiety. Examination stress was significantly less among those who practiced yoga/meditation/breathing exercises/physical exercises, did not use tobacco/alcohol, and did not do net browsing for stress relief. A negative correlation was seen between preuniversity course marks and Westside test anxiety scores (Spearman's rho = −0.230, P < 0.01) and BAI scores (Spearman's rho = −0.047, P > 0.05). Conclusion: A significant number of medical students had higher anxiety levels before exams.http://www.dmrjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2348-1471;year=2023;volume=11;issue=1;spage=21;epage=25;aulast=Sindhuanxietycoping strategiesexamination stressmedical educationmedical studentswestside test anxiety scale
spellingShingle B M Sindhu
Abhinandan S Kumbar
K J Shashank
B M Rashmi
Study of examination-related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central Karnataka
Dentistry and Medical Research
anxiety
coping strategies
examination stress
medical education
medical students
westside test anxiety scale
title Study of examination-related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central Karnataka
title_full Study of examination-related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central Karnataka
title_fullStr Study of examination-related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central Karnataka
title_full_unstemmed Study of examination-related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central Karnataka
title_short Study of examination-related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central Karnataka
title_sort study of examination related anxiety levels and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students at a medical college in central karnataka
topic anxiety
coping strategies
examination stress
medical education
medical students
westside test anxiety scale
url http://www.dmrjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2348-1471;year=2023;volume=11;issue=1;spage=21;epage=25;aulast=Sindhu
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