Metacognition as a mediator of the effect of test anxiety on a surface approach to studying

Marcantonio M. Spada, Ana V. Nikcevic, Giovanni B. Moneta, Judy Ireson

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57 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

This study investigated the role of metacognition as a mediator of the effect of test anxiety on a surface approach to studying. The following scales were completed by 109 undergraduate social sciences students: Approaches and Study Skills Inventories for Students (ASSIST), Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ), and Test Anxiety Scale (TAS). Positive and significant correlations were observed between test anxiety and a surface approach to studying, and between all five dimensions of metacognition and test anxiety. Positive and significant correlations were also found between four of the five dimensions of metacognition and a surface approach to studying. Structural equation modelling was used to test a mediational model in which test anxiety predicted metacognition which in turn predicted a surface approach to studying. The results supported the hypothesis that the effect of test anxiety on a surface approach to studying is entirely mediated by metacognition. The practical implications of these findings are outlined.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)615-624
Number of pages10
JournalEducational Psychology
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2006
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

This is an Accepted Manuscript version of the following article, accepted for publication in Educational Psychology, An International Journal of Experimental Educational Psychology. Spada, M. M., Nikcevic, A. V., Moneta, G. B., & Ireson, J. (2006). Metacognition as a Mediator of the Effect of Test Anxiety on a Surface Approach to Studying. Educational Psychology, 26(5), 615–624. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410500390673. It is deposited under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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