In vivo distraction-coping in the treatment of test anxiety: a 1-year follow-up study

Data obtained from 19 clinically test anxious students supported the efficacy of an 8-week treatment program that combined relaxation skill training, cognitive restructuring, and systematic desensitization for the reduction of test anxiety in a previous study by Thyer , Papsdorf , Himle , McCann , Caldwell, and Wickert (1981). Significant reductions in test, state, and trait anxiety, and increases in the rationality of personal belief systems were observed. Cognitive performance on an anagram solution task and behavioral performance on a test of manual dexterity also were improved posttreatment. In this present study, 12-month follow-up data on 14 (73.6%) of the original Ss are reported. The results indicate a maintenance of the significantly decreased levels of test anxiety and continued reductions in trait anxiety and irrationality . The significance of these findings is discussed.