Differences in test anxiety as a function of self-esteem levels in Primary Education students.
Main Article Content
Abstract
Although test anxiety has traditionally been present in middle and higher academic stages, a significant increase in this phenomenon has been observed in the population of Primary Education students. The significant physical, psychological and academic consequences that test anxiety can have on the school population have led to a growing interest in identifying personal factors that could reduce the likelihood of these disease states occurring. Along these lines, the present study analyzed the existence of significant differences in students' test anxiety according to their level of self-esteem. 326 students from the fourth, fifth and sixth grades of Primary Education participated in the research. Self-esteem levels were determined based on the 33rd and 66th percentiles. Differences in test anxiety were estimated using an ANOVA. Significantly lower levels of test anxiety were found the higher the students' self-esteem, and vice versa. The differences between the three self-esteem groups were statistically significant. These findings seem to suggest that high self-esteem can constitute a psychological protection resource against test anxiety in the Primary Education stage.
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