Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of irrational beliefs and parental attitudes in predicting test anxiety scores of 12th year high school students. The study sample consisted of 418 students, attending Anatolian high schools, Anatolian teacher high schools, science high schools and general high schools in Kilis in 2011-2012 academic year. Data collection instruments used in the study were Irrational Beliefs Scale – Adolescent Form, Test Anxiety Inventory and Parenting Styles Scale. In data analysis, hierarchical regression analysis were done using SPSS’in 17.0. Before regression alaysis, correlation analysis was also done in order to see the relationships among study variables. Results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that irrational beliefs were the strongest predictor of both test anxiety total and worry subscale and emotionality subscale scores. Further, according to results gender were also significant predictor of test anxiety total and worry and motionality subscale scores, and female students had higher test anxiety scores compared to male students. In terms of perceived parental attitudes, only perceived control/supervision attitude of mother were the significant predictor of test anxiety total, worry subscale and emotionality subscale scores.

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