Systematic desensitization and relaxation of high-test-anxious secondary school students

• Published in: Journal of counseling psychology Vol. 16; no. 5p1; pp. 446 - 451
• Main Authors: Laxer, Robert M, Quarter, Jack, Kooman, Ann, Walker, Keith
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, D.C American Psychological Association 01-09-1969
• Subjects: High School Students; Human; Test Anxiety; Treatment
• ISSN: 0022-0167; 1939-2168
• DOI: 10.1037/h0028009

Answers 2 questions: (1) is the systematic desensitization of test anxiety effective with secondary school students; and (2) is relaxation per se as useful a technique as systematic desensitization? High-test-anxious secondary school students were assigned to 1 of 2 experimental conditions, desensitization or relaxation, and met for 20 min. daily for a period of 6 wk. Their results were compared to those of a no-treatment control group. It appeared that the experimental Ss underwent a significant reduction in anxiety; however, only among Grade 13 Ss was there a trend toward improved academic performance. The relaxation per se treatment was more effective in reducing general anxiety than systematic desensitization. The results and their implications for future research are discussed. (15 ref.)