The Impact of Mindfulness Training on Examination Anxiety among Female Students Attending 10+2 Board Examinations in Chennai

Abstract

The study is aimed at understanding the effect of the use of mindfulness practices in reducing the examination anxiety in female students who were taking their board examination. The sample consisted of 80 females students who subjectively felt that they experienced high anxiety during the examinations, of which 47 underwent training in mindfulness practices and rest were included in the control group. The subjects in the experimental group were trained in mindful breathing, body scanning, mindful focus on external sensory stimuli and mindful awareness of activities. 6 sessions of training and 6 sessions of supervised practice session was given to the subjects. STAI was used to assess the anxiety levels. The data was collected at three stages pre-training, post training before the examinations started and immediately after the examination for both the groups. The data was analyzed using “T” Test. The results confirm that mindfulness practices used in the research reduced the state anxiety the students experienced during the examination, but these practices were not helpful in reducing the trait anxiety.