Exam anxiety of the adolescents in Turkey: association between quality of life and sleep quality

ABSTRACT

Exam anxiety can affect the sleep quality of adolescents, and insomnia can further increase anxiety in adolescents. In the study, a descriptive and relational research was performed with the aim of investigating the correlation between exam anxiety levels with sleep and quality of life among adolescents. The study included 303 students attending high schools located in a province in Turkey. The data were collected using ‘Personal Information Form’ and the ‘Exam Anxiety Inventory’ (EAI), ‘Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index’ (PSQI), and ‘Quality of Life for Children Scale’ (KINDL). During the analysis of data; descriptive statistical methods, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis were used. There was a positive weak correlation between the PSQI total points with EAI-total test points (r = 0.349; p = 0.000), and a negative and very weak correlation between KINDL total points with EAI-total test points (r=-0.195; p = 0.001) for adolescents. According to regression analysis, the exam anxiety of adolescents was identified to be a significant determinant of sleep quality and quality of life (p < 0.05). As a result of our research, it appears that exam anxiety among adolescents negatively affects sleep quality and quality of life. For this reason, it is recommended to perform screening, assessment and intervention studies to determine and reduce the exam anxiety of adolescents in the early period.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent
• exam anxiety
• sleep quality
• quality of life

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

No financial support was received by any of the authors for the research of this paper.

Notes on contributors

Dilek Küçük Alemdar

Dilek Küçük Alemdar, PhD is an associate professor in the, Department of Pediatrics Nursing at Ordu University Health Science Faculty.

Emine Ela Küçük

Emine Ela Küçük, PhD is an associate professor in the, Department of Public Health Nursing at Giresun University Health Science Faculty.