The effect of the attachment styles and self-efficacy of adolescents preparing for university entrance tests in Turkey on predicting test anxiety

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of attachment styles and self-efficacy of adolescents preparing for university entrance exams in Turkey on predicting test anxieties. The study group consisted of 884 final-year high school students (423 female and 461 male) attending different types of high school, preparing for university entrance exams and aged between 16 and 19. Participants were administered the Relationship Scales Questionnaire, the Self-Efficacy Scale and the Test Anxiety Inventory in groups in a classroom environment for data collection. Results showed that test anxiety is significantly correlated with self-efficacy and attachment styles. Dismissing, fearful and secure attachment styles and self-efficacy have the potential to predict test anxiety. In addition, the variable of gender was determined as influencing factors in test anxiety.

Keywords:

• Final-year high school student
• test anxiety
• attachment styles
• self-efficacy