The mediating role of experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion in the relationship between mindfulness and test anxi̇ety

This study examined the mediating role of experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion in the relationship between mindfulness and test anxiety. The research was conducted based on a relational screening model, and the sample consisted of 322 secondary school students aged between 14 and 17 who were studying in the province of Samsun during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Mindfulness Scale (BİFÖ), the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth–8 (KBÖ-G8), and the Westside Test Anxiety Scale. In addition to descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and the SPSS Macro PROCESS 4.2 were used to examine mediation effects. The findings revealed that all four hypotheses proposed in the study were statistically supported. As levels of mindfulness increased, a significant decrease in test anxiety was observed. Furthermore, mindfulness negatively predicted both experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion. In contrast, experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion were found to be positive predictors of test anxiety. Mediation analysis indicated that experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion played significant mediating roles in the relationship between mindfulness and test anxiety. The proposed model explained 33% of the variance in test anxiety.