The Association Between Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Images Among University Students: Results From an Online Survey

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 wit...

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Main Authors: Anna Maier, Caroline Schaitz, Julia Kröner, Alexander Berger, Ferdinand Keller, Petra Beschoner, Bernhard Connemann, Zrinka Sosic-Vasic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.618108/full
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author Anna Maier
Caroline Schaitz
Julia Kröner
Alexander Berger
Ferdinand Keller
Petra Beschoner
Bernhard Connemann
Zrinka Sosic-Vasic
author_facet Anna Maier
Caroline Schaitz
Julia Kröner
Alexander Berger
Ferdinand Keller
Petra Beschoner
Bernhard Connemann
Zrinka Sosic-Vasic
author_sort Anna Maier
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj.art-ae8b4eab579f4a6b8b8c0913f7772dc42022-12-21T22:58:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402021-11-011210.3389/fpsyt.2021.618108618108The Association Between Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Images Among University Students: Results From an Online SurveyAnna Maier0Caroline Schaitz1Julia Kröner2Alexander Berger3Ferdinand Keller4Petra Beschoner5Bernhard Connemann6Zrinka Sosic-Vasic7Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyDepartment for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyDevision for Applied Psychotherapy, Hospital Christophsbad Göppingen, Göppingen, GermanyDepartment for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyDepartment for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyDepartment for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyDepartment for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyDevision for Applied Psychotherapy, Hospital Christophsbad Göppingen, Göppingen, GermanyBackground 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.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.618108/fulltest anxietyanxietyself-efficacymental imagesimagery
spellingShingle Anna Maier
Caroline Schaitz
Julia Kröner
Alexander Berger
Ferdinand Keller
Petra Beschoner
Bernhard Connemann
Zrinka Sosic-Vasic
The Association Between Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Images Among University Students: Results From an Online Survey
Frontiers in Psychiatry
test anxiety
anxiety
self-efficacy
mental images
imagery
title The Association Between Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Images Among University Students: Results From an Online Survey
title_full The Association Between Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Images Among University Students: Results From an Online Survey
title_fullStr The Association Between Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Images Among University Students: Results From an Online Survey
title_full_unstemmed The Association Between Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Images Among University Students: Results From an Online Survey
title_short The Association Between Test Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Images Among University Students: Results From an Online Survey
title_sort association between test anxiety self efficacy and mental images among university students results from an online survey
topic test anxiety
anxiety
self-efficacy
mental images
imagery
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.618108/full
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