THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-EFFICACY, STATE-TRAIT ANXIETY AND COGNITIVE TEST ANXIETY: A STUDY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN ARGENTINA

Abstract

This study aims to explore and analyze the relationship between general self-efficacy, state and trait anxiety and test anxiety in private university students of psychology and psycho-pedagogy careers from Argentina. Results showed positive correlations between trait anxiety and test anxiety, and between state anxiety and test anxiety. Negative correlations emerged between general self-efficacy and state anxiety, trait anxiety and test anxiety. It was possible to verify that high levels of general self-efficacy together with low levels of trait anxiety predicted 27% test anxiety variance. While similar results were found in previous works, these findings amplify the scope of research to specific contexts such as Latin American university students. It is recommended to continue the study of these variables in situations as close as possible to the exam situation and considering changes in educational setting worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thus allowing the promotion of student’s welfare throughout programs that promote general self-efficacy as a protective variable.