An examination of perfectionistic self-presentation, academic expectation stress, and academic procrastination as predictors of test anxiety in adolescents

This study aims to examine perfectionistic self-presentation, stress related to academic expectations, and academic procrastination as predictors of test anxiety among adolescents. Additionally, this study investigates whether test anxiety differs by gender. The study group consists of 344 students (142 female and 202 male) from the 11th, 12th, and graduate classes studying in study centers in the province of Bursa. The data collection tools used in the research are the Personal Information Form, the Westside Test Anxiety Scale, the Stress Inventory Related to Academic Expectations, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale for Children and Adolescents, and the Academic Procrastination Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of test anxiety. An independent samples t-test was performed to determine whether test anxiety differs according to gender. As a result of the analysis, a positive and significant relationship was found between test anxiety and perfectionistic self-presentation, stress related to academic expectations, and academic procrastination. Regression analysis revealed that the strongest predictor of test anxiety was stress related to academic expectations, while the other variables also contributed to the prediction of test anxiety. Furthermore, it was found that female students experience higher levels of test anxiety compared to male students.