investigation of the relationship between examination anxiety and early maladaptive schemas of students who are preparing for university examination

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and examination anxiety of students who were preparing for university examination. Method: This study was carried out at a private establishment for preparing students for university examination in Ankara. 108 students who were preparing for university examination were recruited. All data were obtained by using Sociodemograpical Questionnaire, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Young Schema Questionnaire Third version, during 1-10 June 2011. Results: Mean age of students was 18.78 ±0.88. 47.2% were female, while 52.8% were male. There was a significant correlation between students’ State Anxiety and Emotional Deprivation (r=0.25; p<0.01), Failure to Achieve (r=0.19;p<0.05), and Subjugation (r=0.27;p<0.01) subscales; Trait Anxiety and Emotional Deprivation (r=0.25;p<0.01), and Subjugation (r=0.27;p<0.01) subscales of Young Schema Questionnaire. Number of siblings was related with Entitlement (OR= -10.1; P=<0.01), importance attributed to examination was related with Failure to Achieve (OR= -7.9; P=<0.05) and Subjugation (OR= -5.8; P=<0.01); while the type of division (Science/ Mathematic-Turkish) was related with all schema sub-types (for Emotional Deprivation OR= -11.9, P=<0.01; Failure to Achieve OR= -11.5, P=<0.01; Subjugation OR= -4.7, P=<0.05; Emotional Inhibition OR= -5.9, P=<0.01; and Entitlement OR= -4.5; P=<0.01). Discussion: Early maladaptive schemas may have a significant negative effect on examination anxiety of students whoare preparing for university entrance exam.