Parental expectations and positive future expectations as predictives of exam anxiety in high school students

This study aims to examine the effects of parental expectations and positive future expectations on predicting exam anxiety among high school seniors. The research was conducted with 290 students attending the 12th grade in public schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Adana, Turkey. The data were collected using the Positive Future Expectation Scale, Exam Anxiety Scale, and Parental Expectation Scale. These scales allowed the assessment of students' levels of exam anxiety, parental expectations, and attitudes toward the future. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS 27.0 software package. The findings of the study revealed a significant positive impact of parental expectations on exam anxiety. It was determined that students with high parental expectations experienced increased levels of exam anxiety. On the other hand, positive future expectations were found to significantly reduce exam anxiety. Students who maintained an optimistic outlook on their future were observed to manage exam anxiety more effectively. The results indicate a positive relationship between parental expectations and exam anxiety, and a negative relationship between positive future expectations and exam anxiety. This suggests that exam anxiety is influenced not only by individual psychological factors but also by familial and environmental factors. The data obtained from the scales demonstrate that parental expectations and positive future expectations are significant predictors of exam anxiety. In conclusion, parental expectations and students' positive future outlooks play an important role in determining levels of exam anxiety. This highlights the need to consider parental attitudes and students' psychological well-being in managing exam anxiety. The study provides valuable insights for developing intervention programs aimed at reducing exam anxiety among high school students, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness among parents and educators to support students during examination periods. Keywords: Parental Attitude, Anxiety, Exam Anxiety, Parental Expectations