Group desensitization of test anxiety

Abstract

Following an orientation session in which test-anxious students were instructed in the theory and method of desensitization, eighteen ISU undergraduates applied for a desensitization and counseling program for test-taking anxiety. All students committed themselves to attend seven weekly meetings and to practice daily the relaxation exercises at home. Nine of these eig•hteen subjects were assigned to the treatment group and nine to the wait-list control group on the basis of a free class hour at program time. Treatment consisted of seven desensitization and counseling sessions. The treatment and control groups did not differ significantly in initial Grade Point Average or scores on the A.C.T. Test. Both groups improved G.P.A. the program quarter. But only the treatment group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement. (p < .05) It is concluded that group desensitization in this seven-session model is an effective and efficient technique to modify anxiety responses to test taking-situations.

The Measurement and Treatment of Test Anxiety

“…Half of the studies (Cornish & Dilley, 1973;McManus, 1971;Mitchell, et al, 1975;Mitchell & Ng, 1972;Taylor, 1971) used only one therapist. Half of the studies (Cornish & Dilley, 1973;McManus, 1971;Mitchell, et al, 1975;Mitchell & Ng, 1972;Taylor, 1971) used only one therapist.…”

Behavioural Group Training for Anxiety Management

“…The first studies were predominantly concerned with teaching test-anxious undergraduates the use of relaxation and desensitization hierarchies. Calef (1974), Cohen (1969), Dawley and Wenrich (1973), Ihli and Garlington (1969), Konas (1967), McManus (1973), Scissons and Njaa(1973) and Suinn (1968) have all shown group desensitization to be as effective as individual treatment for text anxious clients. Other investigators have successfully used group desensitization to treat snake phobias in children (Ritter, 1968) and spider phobics (Robinson and Suinn, 1968).…”

Group work in the treatment of test anxiety

“…From the results of combined treatments in eight studies (Allen, 1971;Altmaier & Woodward, 1981;Dendato & Diener, 1986;Harris & Johnson, 1980;Katahn, Strenger, & Cherry, 1966;Lent & Russell, 1978;McManus, 1971;Mitchell & Ng, 1972) the conclusion that these researchers have reached (and which is obvious to me from the data in Table 2) is that combined approaches must be used for test-anxious students. Three combinations are revealed in the literature: (a) a behavioral and cognitive approach combined with study skills training, (b) a behavioral and cognitive approach combined with group counseling, and (c) a behavioral approach combined with group counseling and study skills training.…”