Identifying Coping Mechanisms of Exam Anxiety as Innovative Technique to Prepare Malaysian Secondary School Students for Examination

  • Authors

    • Shahlan Surat
    • Nurul Nabilah Mohammad Khalipah
    • Shalinawati Ramli
    • Harun Baharudin
    • Abu Yazid Abu Bakar
    • Sasmoko .
    2018-11-26
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i4.21.21617
  • Coping mechanisms, exam anxiety, Malaysian secondary education

  • Abstract

    The study aims to determine the level of exam anxiety and the coping mechanisms used by the students, and also the relationship between the two variables. This is due to the fact that highly suitable and effective exam anxiety coping mechanisms are believed to be able to help the students in overcoming their anxiety. The study used the survey method in order to find out the anxiety level and the coping mechanisms used by the students in handling exam anxiety. 324 Form Four students from a daily secondary school (152 male, 172 female) were selected as the study sample. The instruments utilized in the study were the questionnaires of Test Anxiety Inventory, also known as TAI Inventory, and Coping with Pre-Exam Anxiety and Uncertainty (COPEAU). The results indicated that the exam anxiety level of the students was moderate. Also, there is a significant difference level of exam anxiety and the coping mechanisms based on genders, in which the mean value for female students is much higher than that of male students. From the aspect of coping mechanisms, it was found that a large number of the secondary school students used the task-orientation and preparation and also seeking social support as the mechanisms in handling anxiety, while only a few of them used the avoidance mechanism. The implication of preparing the students prior to the examination was discuss.

     

     

  • References

    1. [1] Awan, R.U.N., Azher, M., Anwar, M.N., & Naz, A. 2010. An investigation of foreign language classroom anxiety and its relationship with students‟ achievement. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 7(11).

      [2] Aznur Aisyah, Khazriyati Salehuddin, Idris Aman, Ruhizan Mohammad Yasin & Nezu Mimiko (2016). Eliciting elements of higher order thinking skills in the higher secondary examination question structure in Japan and Malaysia Proceedings of the Regional Conference on Science, Technology and Social Sciences (RCSTSS).

      [3] Beck, A. 1970. Cognitive therapy: Nature and relation to behavior therapy. Behavior Therapy, 1, 184-200.

      [4] Bullare, F., Ismail, R., Madlan, L., & Lajuma, S. 2015. Strategi daya tindak remaja sekolah dan hubungannya dengan kemurungan. Journal Psikologi Malaysia, 29(1), 21-38.

      [5] Burnett, S., Sebastian, C., Kadosh, K. C., & Blakemore, S. J. 2011. The social brain in adolescence: evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural studies. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 35(8), 1654-1664.

      [6] Che Haslina Abdullah. 2014. Intervensi Modul Bimbingan Islam Terhadap Masalah Kecelaruan Kebimbangan Umum Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Universiti: Satu Kajian Kes (Doctoral dissertation, Universiti Sains Malaysia).

      [7] Chua Bee Seok, Ferlis Bin Bahari; Lailawati Madlan; Jasmine Adela Mutang and Nur Farhana Ardillah Aftar. 2012. Parents‟ Ethnic Socialization Practices, Ethnic Identity and Psychological Adjustment among Multi Ethnic Children in Sabah, Malaysia. International Proceedings of Economics Development and Research. Psychological Sciences and Behaviors, 40, 105-109. Retrieve on 31 July 2013, on http://www.ipedr.com/vol40/022- ICPSB2012-P10015.pdf

      [8] Dawood, E., Al Ghadeer, H., Mitsu, R., Almutary, N., & Alenezi, B. 2016. Relationship between Test Anxiety and Academic Achievement among Undergraduate Nursing Students. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(2), 57-65.

      [9] Delaney, R.K., Turiano, N.A., & Strough, J. 2016. Living longer with help from others: Seeking advice lowers mortality risk. Journal of Health Psychology, 1, 8.

      [10] Dina Adam, Ayiesah Ramli, Suzana Shahar (2016). Effectiveness of a combined dance and relaxation intervention on reducing anxiety and depression and improving quality of life among the cognitively impaired elderly. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 47-53.

      [11] DordiNejad, F.G., Hakimi, H., Ashouri, M., Dehghani, M., Zeinali, Z., Daghighi, M.S., & Bahrami, N. 2011. On the relationship between test anxiety and academic performance. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 15, 3774-3778.

      [12] Dunkley, D.M., Blankstein, K.R., Halsall, J., Williams, M., & Winkworth, G. 2000. The relation between perfectionism and distress: Hassles, coping, and perceived social support as mediators and moderators. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47(4), 437.

      [13] Dzalani Harun, Emy Yew, Mahadir Ahmad, Nur Sakinah Baharudin (2017). Coping skills and psychosocial adjustments among parents of children with learning disabilities (LD). ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 259-268

      [14] Ferlis Bin Bahari; Lailawati Madlan; Jasmine Adela Mutang and Nur Farhana Ardillah Aftar. 2015. Parents‟ Ethnic Socialization Practices, Ethnic Identity and Psychological Adjustment among Multi Ethnic Children in Sabah, Malaysia. International Proceedings of Economics Development and Research. Psychological Sciences and Behaviors, 40, 105-109. Retrieve on 31 July 2013, on http://www.ipedr.com/vol40/022- ICPSB2012-P10015.pdf

      [15] Ghazali Yusri,Nik Mohd Rahimi, Parilah M. Shah.2010. Kebimbangan ujian dan motivasi dalam kalangan pelajar kursus bahasa Arab dalam konteks kemahiran lisan. AJTLHE: ASEAN Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 2(2), 50-63.

      [16] Gnilka, P.B., Ashby, J.S., & Noble, C.M. 2012. Multidimensional perfectionism and anxiety:Differences among individuals with perfectionism and tests of a copingâ€mediation model. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(4), 427-436.

      [17] Grills-Taquechel, A.E., Norton, P., & Ollendick, T.H. 2010. A longitudinal examination of factors predicting anxiety during the transition to middle school. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 23(5), 493-513.

      [18] Gureje, O., Von Korff, M., Simon, G.E., & Gater, R. 1998. Persistent pain and well-being: a World Health Organization study in primary care. Jama, 280(2), 147-151.

      [19] Kaya, A.2004. Test anxiety and psychopathology in fifth-grade students in Turkey. International Journal of Educational Reform, 13(1), 19-26.

      [20] Khan, M.S., Mahmood, S., Badshah, A., Ali, S.U., & Jamal, Y.2006. Prevalence of depression, anxiety and their associated factors among medical students in Karachi, Pakistan. JOURNAL-PAKISTAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 56(12), 583.

      [21] Lazarus, R.S., & Folkman, S. 1984. Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.

      [22] Mohamad Shakir.2014. Academic anxiety as a correlate of academic achievement. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(10), 29-30.

      [23] Morris, L.W., Davis, M.A. & Hutchins, C.H. 1981. Cognitive and emotional components of anxiety: Literature review and a revised worry-emotionality scale. Journal of Educational Psychology, 73, 541-555

      [24] Muhammad Shabbir Ali & Muhammad Naeem Mohsin. 2013. Relationship of Test Anxiety with Students; Achievement in Science, International Journal of Educational, 3(1), 1-8.

      [25] Nelson, J.M., & Harwood, H. 2011. Learning disabilities and anxiety: A meta-analysis. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(1), 3-17.

      [26] Nicholson, A.M. 2010. Effects of test anxiety on student achievement (ACT) for college bound students. Dissertation Abstracts International, 70(7), 2400.

      [27] Porto, A. 2013. Definitions and classification of NANDA nursing diagnoses. NANDA International. 68 (4),

      [28] Raja Lexshimi RG, Ho SE, Hamidah H, Rohani M, Syed Zulkifly SZ (2007) A study on anxiety and depression level among high risk inpatient pregnant women in an obstetric ward. Medicine & Health 34-41

      [29] Rana, R.A., & Mahmood, N. 2010. The relationship between test anxiety and academic achievement.

      [30] Rice, K., & Lapsley, D.2001. Perfectionism, coping, and emotional adjustment. Journal of College Student Development, 42, 157–168

      [31] Rizwan Akram Rana, Nasir Mahmood. 2010. The relationship between test anxiety and academic achievement. Bulletin of Education and Research, 32(2), 63-74.

      [32] Sarason, I.G., & Sarason, B.B. 1990. Test anxiety. In H. Leitenberg (Ed.), Handbook of Social and Evaluative Anxiety. New York: Plenum Press.

      [33] Spielberger, C.D., Anton, W.D., & Bedell, J. 1976. The nature and treatment of test anxiety. In M. Zuckerman & C. D. Spielberger (Eds.), Emotions and anxiety: New concepts, methods, and applications (pp. 317-344). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

      [34] Stöber, J. 2004. Dimensions of test anxiety: Relations to ways of coping with pre-exam anxiety and uncertainty. Anxiety, Stress & Coping, 17(3), 213-226.

      [35] Segool, N., Carlson, J., Goforth, A., von der Embse, N., & Barterian, J. (2013). Heightened test anxiety among young children: Elementary school students’ anxious responses to high-stakes testing. Psychology in the Schools, 50, 489-499 (15) Latent Profile Analyses of Test Anxiety: A Pilot Study. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259970316_Latent_Profile_Analyses_of_Test_Anxiety_A_Pilot_Study [accessed Aug 20 2018].

      [36] Syazali, N. 2012. Penyakit mental jejas pembangunan negara. Dewan Masyarakat. Kuala Lumpur: DewanThe Value of Education - Malaysians Perspective Education Article, retrieve from:http://www.studyinchina.com.my/web/page/the-value-of-education-in- Malaysian perspective/

      [37] Tempel, T., & Neumann, R. 2016. Taming Test Anxiety: The Activation of Failure-Related Concepts Enhances Cognitive Test Performance of Test-Anxious Students. The Journal of Experimental Education, 84(4), 702-722.

      [38] Von Der Embse, N., Barterian, J., & Segool, N. 2013. Test anxiety interventions for children and adolescents: A systematic review of treatment studies from 2000–2010. Psychology in the Schools, 50(1), 57-71.

      [39] Yee, & Fah, L.Y. 2014. Sikap Dan Kebimbangan Kimia Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Aliran Sains: Satu Pendekatan Pemodelan Persamaan Struktural (SEM). Jurnal Pemikir Pendidikan, 5.

      [40] Zahrakar, K. 2008. The study of the relationship between parenting styles with mental health of islamshahrs’ adolescents. The Quarterly of New Thoughts in Educational Sciences, 3, 77-91.

      [41] Zimmerman, M. A. Heinze, J. E., Kruger, D. J., Reischl, T. M., Cupal, S.2015. Relationships among disease, social support, and perceived health: a lifespan approach. American Journal of Community Psychology, 56(3-4), 268-279.

      [42] Weiner, B. A., & Carton, J. S. (2012). Avoidant coping: A mediator of maladaptive perfectionism and test anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 52(5), 632–636.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Surat, S., Nabilah Mohammad Khalipah, N., Ramli, S., Baharudin, H., Yazid Abu Bakar, A., & ., S. (2018). Identifying Coping Mechanisms of Exam Anxiety as Innovative Technique to Prepare Malaysian Secondary School Students for Examination. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(4.21), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i4.21.21617

    Received date: 2018-11-26

    Accepted date: 2018-11-26

    Published date: 2018-11-26