The effect of perfectionism on test anxiety and the mediating role of sense of coherence in adolescent students

Background: Previous research has shown that perfectionism is closely associated with stress. However, limited research has examined the longitudinal relationship between perfectionism and test anxiety. In addition, no study has investigated the possible mediators for the effects of perfectionism on test anxiety in school contexts. Objective: Utilizing a three-wave longitudinal design, this study employed a sample of Chinese junior high school students as participants to examine the longitudinal relationship between perfectionism, sense of coherence, and test anxiety. Methods: 427 Chinese junior high school students (212 girls, 215 boys) participated in all three measurement times. The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism scale, sense of coherence scale (SOC), and Test Anxiety scale were administered to the participants. The students completed questionnaires about once every two months from the beginning of a school semester to the end of the semester. Results: Results from structural equation modeling indicated that negative perfectionism significantly contributed to test anxiety in the adolescent students. The lagged effect of perfectionism (T1) on SOC (T2) was significant, and the lagged effect of SOC (T2) on test anxiety (T3) was significant, indicating that SOC played a significant mediating role in the effect of perfectionism on test anxiety. Conclusion: The longitudinal effects of negative perfectionism on test anxiety were mediated by sense of coherence. The findings of the study have general implications for mitigating test anxiety and improving school adjustment and academic achievement.