Psychometric properties of speaking anxiety scale and an interdisciplinary investigation with serial mediation analysis

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was twofold. First, we aimed to adapt the English-speaking Anxiety Scale. Second, we intended to investigate the mediating role of English learning motivation and self-confidence on the relationship between English-speaking anxiety and English self-efficacy through a serial mediation analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The first phase included the adaptation of the English-speaking Anxiety Scale into tertiary level based on data collected from 178 students. The second phase tested the theoretical serial mediation model based on data collected from 526 students. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to serve for the first purpose of the study whereas PROCESS macro (Model 6) was run to test the serial multiple mediation roles of English learning motivation and self-confidence.

Findings

The results of CFA showed that the fit indices of the adapted version of the scale were acceptable. Besides, it was found out that English learning motivation and self-confidence played multiple mediating roles in the relationship between English self-efficacy and English-speaking anxiety.

Originality/value

This research offers a valid and reliable scale to determine the English-speaking anxiety of tertiary level students. Also, it sheds light how English learning motivation and self-confidence mediates the relationship between English-speaking anxiety and English self-efficacy for the first time. Pedagogical implications of the study for future research were presented at the end of the study.

KEYWORDS:

• English self-efficacy
• English-speaking anxiety
• English learning motivation
• self-confidence
• serial mediation analysis

Disclosure statement

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

Availability of data and material

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available but are available from the corresponding author on editor’s request.

Authors contribution

Both writers equally contributed to the study during data collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, writing and editing the manuscript. All of the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Ethical approval

The study protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of National Defense University. The study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its following updates.

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all the individual participants that were included in the study.

Consent for publication

We received consent of the owners of all four measures that were utilized in this study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gökhan Demirdöken

Gökhan Demirdöken is a lecturer in the department of Foreign Languages at National Defense University, Turkish Air Force Academy. He received his MA in English Language and Teaching in 2019, and he is currently a PhD candidate. He has published several articles on aviation English. His research interests include needs analysis and communication breakdowns.

Sinan Okur

Sinan Okur works as a lecturer at the National Defense University, Turkish Air Force Academy. He is a PhD candidate at Marmara University, department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling. His research interest includes positive psychology.