Examining the Relationship between Substance Use and Test Anxiety among Students in a Public University in Nigeria

Abstract

Substance use and test anxiety are two phenomena critical to the academic achievement and well-being of university students, however, few studies exist examining the relationship between both. Extant literature suggests that students use substances to cope with test anxiety but reciprocal causality also suggests substance use may also result in test anxiety. Consequently, this study examined the effect of substance use on test anxiety among university students. Two hundred and eighty-six undergraduate students participated in the study. The inclusion criterion was having an upcoming test in at least two weeks. The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) and Westside Test Anxiety Scale were used to obtain data on students' substance use and test anxiety.Results showed a positive association between substance use and test anxiety. Also, no gender difference was found in substance use and test anxiety. Recommendations offered include interventions aimed at reducing test anxiety, skills training to enhance coping and academic self-efficacy and the inclusion of the latter in future studies examining the relationship between the study's variables.