Write your message
Volume 24, Issue 151 (9-2025)                   Journal of Psychological Science 2025, 24(151): 359-375 | Back to browse issues page


XML Persian Abstract Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Salamat gayeh belaghy N, Panahali A, Vahedi S, Hosseininasab D. (2025). Comparison of the Efficacy of Executive Functions Training and Motivation Management on Test Anxiety of High school Students. Journal of Psychological Science. 24(151), 359-375. doi:10.61186/jps.24.151.20
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3058-en.html
Department of Psychology and Counseling, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. , panahali@iaut.ac.ir
Abstract:   (93 Views)
Background: Test anxiety is one of the most important psychological factors that hinders students' academic success. A review of previous research shows that test anxiety is influenced by executive functions and motivation. However, no research has yet compared the efficacy of executive functions training and motivation management on students' test anxiety, and there is a research gap in this field.
Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of executive functions training and motivation management on test anxiety in high school students. 
Methods: The method of this study was a semi-experimental pretest-posttest design with two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population of the study included all second-year male high school students in Maragheh city (4790 people) in 2022. Using multi-stage cluster random sampling and purposive sampling , 60 of them were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (20 people in each group). The data collection tools in this study were the Test Anxiety Inventory (Abolghasemi, 1996). For the first experimental group, the executive functions training (Meltzer, 2010) was implemented in 8 session, 90-minute, and for the second experimental group, the motivation management training (Tileston, 2003) was implemented in 8 session, 90-minute. Also, data analysis of this study was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance and SPSS-22 software. 
Results: The results of this study showed that both types of executive functions training and motivation management were effective in reducing students' test anxiety. (P<0.001). The results also indicated that there was no significant difference in the efficacy of these two types of training programs. 
Conclusion: Considering the findings of this study regarding the efficacy of both types of executive functions training and motivation management, it is suggested that both of these educational methods be used to develop an educational-therapeutic intervention program to reduce students' test anxiety.
Full-Text [PDF 1334 kb]   (65 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/08/6 | Accepted: 2025/09/6 | Published: 2025/09/23

References
1. ابوالقاسمی، عباس؛ اسدی‌مقدم، عزیزه؛ نجاریان، بهمن و شکرکن، حسین (1375). ساخت‌ و اعتباریابی‌ مقیاسی‌ برای‌ سنجش‌ اضطراب‌ امتحان‌ در دانش‌آموزان‌ پایه‌ سوم‌ دوره راهنمایی‌ تحصیلی‌اهواز. دست‌آوردهای روان‌شناختی، 3 (2)،61-74. https://doi.org/10.22055/psy.1996.16383
2. اسلامیان، سجاد؛ نوری قاسم‌آبادی، ربابه و حسنی، جعفر (۱۴۰۱). روابط ساختاری اضطراب امتحان بر پایه کمال‌گرایی با تأکید بر نقش میانجی راهبردهای سازش نایافته تنظیم شناختی هیجان. رویش روان‌شناسی، ۱۱ (۳)، 195-206. http://frooyesh.ir/article-1-3529-fa.html
3. افضلی، افشین و امین حاتمی، فهیمه (1397). نقش و جایگاه انگیزه تحصیلی درونی و بیرونی و درگیری تحصیلی در پیش‌بینی اضطراب امتحان دانش‌آموزان دوره متوسطه. راهبردهای شناختی در یادگیری، 6(11)، 175-191. https://doi.org/10.22084/j.psychogy.2018.15139.1687
4. پورآقا رودبرده، فاطمه؛ طالع‌پسند، سیاوش و رحیمیان بوگر، اسحاق (1396). اثر مداخلات چندبُعدی انگیزشی بر کاهش اضطراب امتحان و احساس عدم کنترل دانش‌آموزان با ناتوانی در پیشرفت تحصیلی. مجله مطالعات ناتوانی، ۷ ()، ۷-۷. http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-780-fa.html
5. پهلوساری، مجتبی؛ پیرانی، ذبیح و تقوایی، داود (1400). پیش‌بینی اضطراب تحصیلی بر اساس کارکردهای اجرایی و درگیری تحصیلی در دوران شیوع کووید-۱۹. تحقیقات علوم رفتاری، ۱۹ (۴)، ۷۳۱-738. https://doi.org/10.52547/rbs.19.4.731
6. جباری، کورش؛ کرد، بهمن و شمالی اسکویی، آرزو (۱۴۰۳). ارائه الگو ساختاری اضطراب امتحان بر اساس طرحوارهای ناسازگار اولیه با میانجی گری ترس از ارزیابی منفی در دانش آموزان شهر تهران. مجله علوم روانشناختی، ۲۳ (۱۳۶)، 183-199. https://doi.org/10.52547/JPS.23.136.929
7. جلیلی شیشوان، علی و صادقیان، نسرین (1402). اثر بخشی آموزش کارکردهای اجرایی بر اضطراب، خودکارآمدی و خود تنظیمی دانشجویان ورزشکار شرکت‌کننده در المپیاد ورزشی. فصلنامه پژوهش‌های نوین روانشناختی، 18(69)، 81-91. https://doi.org/10.22034/jmpr.2022.54205.5271
8. حبیب‌زاده، عباس؛ زند، محمداسماعیل و ستایشی اظهری، محمد (1402). مقایسه اضطراب امتحان در نیمرخ‌های مختلف انگیزشی: تحلیل مبتنی بر شخص. پژوهش در روش‌های آموزش، 1(4)، 1-25. https://doi.org/10.22091/jrim.2023.8879.1002
9. حسن‌زاده، رمضان و وطن دوست، لیلا (1396). اثربخشی آموزش مدیریت انگیزش بر سرزندگی تحصیلی و خودپنداره تحصیلی دانش‌آموزان. فصلنامه علمی پژوهش در یادگیری آموزشگاهی و مجازی، 5(3)، 67-72.https://etl.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_4499.html
10. خلیفه، سارا و قلتاش، عباس (1402). نقش پیش بینی اضطراب امتحان بر اساس انگیزش پیشرفت و یادگیری خود تنظیمی دانش‌آموزان دختر دوره ی متوسطه ی اول شهر زرقان. رویکردی نو بر آموزش کودکان، 5(1)، 82-71. https://doi.org/10.22034/naes.2022.364440.1277
11. دلاور، علی (1403). روش تحقیق در روان‌شناسی و علوم تربیتی. تهران: نشر ویرایش.
12. سبزی رضا، میهن دوست زینب، نادمی آرش، پرندین شیما (1402). بررسی اثربخشی آموزش کارکردهای اجرایی بر توانایی خودتنظیمی هیجانی و اضطراب امتحان دانش‌‌آموزان دختر دارای ناتوانی یادگیری ریاضی. مجله مطالعات ناتوانی، ۱۳ ()، 23-23. http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-2833-fa.html
13. سبزی رضا، میهن دوست زینب، نادمی آرش، پرندین شیما (1401). اثربخشی «آموزش کارکردهای اجرایی» بر خودتنظیمی هیجانی و اضطراب آزمون دانش‌آموزان دختر دارای اختلال در نوشتن. فصلنامه مدیریت ارتقای سلامت، ۱۱ (۳)، ۶۸-80.https://doi.org/10.22034/JHPM.11.3.68
14. عرب، سکینه؛ طباطبایی، سیدموسی و بیان‌فر، فاطمه (1398). اثربخشی بازآموزی اسنادی بر سطح اضطراب امتحان و میزان کمال‌گرایی وسواس‌گونه دانش‌آموزان دختر دارای اضطراب امتحان. روان‌شناسی بالینی، 11(2)، 40-51. https://doi.org/10.22075/jcp.2019.15634.1495
15. قلیچ‌ بیکی، اشرف؛ پاکدامن، مجید و کارشکی، حسین (۱۴۰۰). وارسی باورهای انگیزشی ناکارآمد بر اساس نظریه داده بنیاد. مجله علوم روانشناختی، ۲۰ (۱۰۸)، 2343-2358. https://doi.org/10.52547/JPS.20.108.2343
16. یعقوبی، ابوالقاسم؛ محققی، حسین؛ یوسف‌زاده، محمدرضا؛ گنجی، کامران و الفتی، ناهید (1393). تأثیر آموزش مدیریت زمان بر اضطراب امتحان و انگیزش پیشرفت تحصیلی دانش‌آموزان. روان‌شناسی مدرسه و آموزشگاه، 3 (1)، 131-144. https://doi.org/ jsp-3-1-93-3-9
17. Abebe, G. (2015). Anxiety, attitude towards mathematics and mathematics achievement of tenth grade students at government and private schools in kolfe keranio sub city of Addis Ababa (Doctoral dissertation, Addis Ababa University).http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/6118
18. Abolghasemi, A. , Asadi Moghaddam, A. , Najarian, B. and Shokrkon, H. (1996). Construction and Validation of a Test for the Measurement of Test Anxiety Among Ahwaz Guidance School Students. Psychological Achievements, 3(2), 61-74. https://doi.org/10.22055/psy.1996.16383
19. Affum-Osei, E. O., Asante, E. A., Josephine, B., & Solomon, F. K. (2014). Achievement motivation, academic self-concept and academic achievement among high school students. European Journal of Research and Reflection in Educational Sciences, 2(2), 24-37.https://www.idpublications.org/wp-content/uploads
20. Afzali, A. and Aminhatami, F. (2018). The role and status of internal and external academic motivation and academic engagement in predicting test anxiety of high school student. Journal of Cognitive Strategies in Learning, 6(11), 175-191. [Persian] https://doi.org/10.22084/j.psychogy.2018.15139.1687
21. Al-dabaibeh, A. M., Abu Ghazal, M. M., & Ghbari, T. A. (2024). The effect of a training program in executive functions based on Anderson’s model in reducing cognitive test anxiety. Health Psychology Report,1-8.https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr/191089
22. Alfonso, S. V., & Lonigan, C. J. (2021). Trait anxiety and adolescent's academic achievement: The role of executive function. Learning and Individual Differences, 85, 101941.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101941
23. Allan, N. P., Hume, L. E., Allan, D. M., Farrington, A. L., & Lonigan, C. J. (2014). Relations between inhibitory control and the development of academic skills in preschool and kindergarten: a meta-analysis. Developmental psychology, 50(10), 2368.https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037493
24. Arab, S. , tabatabaee, S. M. and Bayanfar, F. (2019). The Effectiveness of Attribution Retraining Intervention on Test Anxiety Level and Obsessional Perfectionism of Female High - school Student with Test anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 11(2), 40-51. [Persian] https://doi.org/10.22075/jcp.2019.15634.1495
25. Arrington, C. N., Kulesz, P. A., Francis, D. J., Fletcher, J. M., & Barnes, M. A. (2014). The contribution of attentional control and working memory to reading comprehension and decoding. Scientific Studies of Reading, 18(5), 325-346.https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2014.902461
26. Baggetta, P., & Alexander, P. A. (2016). Conceptualization and operationalization of executive function. Mind, Brain, and Education, 10(1), 10-33.https://doi.org/10.1111/mbe.12100
27. Birjandi, P., & Alemi, M. (2010). The impact of test anxiety on test performance among Iranian EFL learners. BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 1(4), 44-58.https://brain.edusoft.ro/index.php/brain/article/view/131
28. Blair, C., Zelazo, P. D., & Greenberg, M. T. (2016). Measurement of executive function in early childhood: A special issue of developmental neuropsychology. Psychology Press.https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326942dn2802_1
29. Bong, S. H., Choi, T. Y., Kim, K. M., Lee, J., & Kim, J. W. (2020). Correlation between executive function and quantitative EEG in patients with anxiety by the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework. Scientific reports, 10(1), 18578.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75626-0
30. Boparai, J. K., Gupta, A. K., Singh, A., Matreja, P. S., Khanna, P. M. L., & Garg, P. (2013). Impact of test anxiety on psychomotor functions and satisfaction with life of medical undergraduates during second professional curriculum. Education in Medicine Journal, 5(4).https://doi.org/10.5959/eimj.v5i4.172
31. Clark, M. H., & Schroth, C. A. (2010). Examining relationships between academic motivation and personality among college students. Learning and individual differences, 20(1), 19-24.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2009.10.002
32. Delavar, A (2024). Research Method in Psychology and Educational Sciences. Tehran: virayesh Publications. [Persian]
33. Diamond, A., & Ling, D. S. (2016). Conclusions about interventions, programs, and approaches for improving executive functions that appear justified and those that, despite much hype, do not. Developmental cognitive neuroscience, 18, 34-48.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2015.11.005
34. Eslamiyan S, Nouri Ghasemabadi R, Hasani J. (2022). The Structural Equation Modeling of Test Anxiety based on Perfectionism with Emphasis on Mediating Role of Maladaptive Cognitive Emotion Regulation. Rooyesh, 11(3), 195-206. [Persian] http://frooyesh.ir/article-1-3529-fa.html
35. Habib Zadeh, A., Zand, M. E., & Setayeshi Azhari, M. (2024). Comparison of Exam Anxiety in Different Motivational Profiles: A Person-Based Analysis. Research In Instructional Methods, 1(4), 1-25. [Persian]https://doi.org/10.22091/jrim.2023.8879.1002
36. Hammoud, S., Karam, R., Mourad, R., Saad, I., & Kurdi, M. (2018). Stress and heart rate variability during university final examination among lebanese students. Behavioral sciences, 9(1), 3.https://doi.org/10.3390/bs9010003
37. Hassanzadeh, R. and Vatandoust, L. (2017). Effectiveness of motivation management training on students’ academic buoyancy and self-concept. Research in School and Virtual Learning, 5(3), 67-72. [Persian]https://etl.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_4499.html
38. Haynes Stewart, T. L., Clifton, R. A., Daniels, L. M., Perry, R. P., Chipperfield, J. G., & Ruthig, J. C. (2011). Attributional retraining: Reducing the likelihood of failure. Social Psychology of Education: An International Journal, 14(1), 75–92.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-010-9130-2
39. Higa-McMillan, C. K., Francis, S. E., Rith-Najarian, L., & Chorpita, B. F. (2016). Evidence base update: 50 years of research on treatment for child and adolescent anxiety. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 45(2), 91-113.https://doi.org/10.1177/0308575919841753
40. Jabari K, Kord B, Shomali Oskoei A. (2024). Suggesting a structural model of test anxiety based on early maladaptive schemas with mediating fear of negative evaluation students in Tehran. Journal of Psychological Science. 23(136), 183-199. [Persian] https://doi.org/10.52547/JPS.23.136.929
41. Jalili Shishavan, A. and Sadeghian, N. (2023). Effectiveness of Executive Functions Training on Anxiety, Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulation of Student Athletes Participating in Sports Olympiad. Journal of Modern Psychological Researches, 18(69), 81-91. [Persian] https://doi.org/10.22034/jmpr.2022.54205.5271
42. Huang, Q., Hou, L., Zhang, W., & Zhou, R. (2022). The dysregulation of top-down control in individuals with high test anxiety: A resting state fMRI study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 151, 649-656.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.05.023
43. Kavakci, O., Semiz, M., Kartal, A., Dikici, A., & Kugu, N. (2014). Test anxiety prevalance and related variables in the students who are going to take the university entrance examination. Dusunen Adam Journal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences, 27(4), 301.https://doi.org/10.5350/DAJPN2014270403
44. Khalifeh, S. and Gholtash, A. (2023). The role of predicting exam anxiety based on the motivation of progress and self-regulated learning of female students of the first secondary school in Zarghan city. A new approach to children's education quarterly, 5(1), 71-82. [Persian] https://doi.org/10.22034/naes.2022.364440.1277
45. Kumari, K., Ali, S. B., & Abbas, J. (2021). Examining the Role of Motivation and Reward in Employees' Job Performance through Mediating Effect of Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Evidence. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 10(4), 401-420.https://doi.org/10.33844/ijol.2021.60606
46. Meltzer, L. (2010). Promoting executive function in the classroom. Guilford Press.
47. McCoach, D. B., & Flake, J. K. (2018). The role of motivation. In S. I. Pfeiffer, E. Shaunessy-Dedrick, & M. Foley-Nicpon (Eds.), APA handbook of giftedness and talent (pp. 201–213). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000038-013
48. Mishra, S. G., & Chincholikar, K. L. (2014). A study of relationship of academic achievement with aptitude, attitude and anxiety. International journal of English language, literature and humanities, 2(1), 162-174. https://ijellh.com/index.php/OJS/article/view/45
49. Okoye, K. R. E., & Onokpaunu, M. O. (2020). Relationship between Self-Esteem, Academic Procrastination and Test Anxiety with Academic Achievement of Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Students in Delta State University, Abraka. International Scholar Journal of Arts and Social Science Research, 3(1), 37-51.https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3542761
50. Omwenga, M. K. (2025). Test anxiety and academic achievement in junior secondary schools in Kitutu Chache north sub-county, Kisii, Kenya: A correlation study. Home International Journal of Science and Research Archive. 15(2), 501-514. https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2025.15.2.1373
51. O’Donnell, P. S. (2017). Executive functioning profiles and test anxiety in college students. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 35(5), 447-459.https://doi.org/10.1177/0734282916641554
52. Pahlusari, M., Pirani, Z., & Taghvaei, D. (2022). Predicting academic anxiety based on executive functions and academic conflict during the COVID outbreak-19. Journal of Research in Behavioural Sciences, 19(4), 731-738. [Persian] https://doi.org/10.52547/rbs.19.4.731
53. Poon, K (2018). Hot and Cool Executive Functions in Adolescence: Development and Contributions to Important Developmental Outcomes. Front Psychol, 8(2), 11-23.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02311
54. Pooragha Rodbarde F, Talepasand S, Rahimain Boogar I. (2017). The Effect of Multidimensional Motivation Interventions on Test Anxiety and Locus of Control among Students with Learning Disabilities. MEJDS, 7, 7-7. [Persian] http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-780-fa.html
55. Putwain, D. W., & Symes, W. (2018). Does increased effort compensate for performance debilitating test anxiety?. School Psychology Quarterly, 33(3), 482. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000236
56. Qelich Beiki A, Pakdaman M, Karashki H. (2021). Inquiry of dysfunctional motivational beliefs based on data foundation theory. Journal of Psychological Science, 20(108), 2343-2358. [Persian] https://doi.org/10.52547/JPS.20.108.2343
57. Sabzi R, Mihandoost Z, Nademi A, Parandin S. (2023). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Executive Function Training on Emotional Self-regulation Ability and Test Anxiety of Female Students with Math Learning Disabilities. Journal of Disability Studies (MEJDS), 13, 23-23. [Persian] http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-2833-fa.html
58. Sabzi, R., Patriot, Z., Nademi, A., & Parandin, S. (2022). The effectiveness of" Executive Function Training" on emotional self-regulation and test anxiety of female students with writing disorders. J Health Promot Manag, 11(3), 68-80. [Persian] https://doi.org/10.22034/JHPM.11.3.68
59. Soffer ME. (2008). Elementary Students’ Test Anxiety in Relation to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Florida State University.http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1649
60. Tsegay, L., Shumet, S., Damene, W., Gebreegziabhier, G., & Ayano, G. (2019). Prevalence and determinants of test anxiety among medical students in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. BMC medical education, 19(1), 423. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1859-5
61. Tileston, D. W. (2003). What every teacher should know about instructional planning. Corwin Press.
62. Urhahne, D., Chao, S. H., Florineth, M. L., Luttenberger, S., & Paechter, M. (2011). Academic self‐concept, learning motivation, and test anxiety of the underestimated student. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 81(1), 161-177. https://doi.org/10.1348/000709910X504500
63. Vanstone, D. M., & Hicks, R. E. (2019). Transitioning to university: Coping styles as mediators between adaptive-maladaptive perfectionism and test anxiety. Personality and individual differences, 141, 68-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.12.026
64. Wei, H., Oei, T. P., & Zhou, R. (2022). Test anxiety impairs inhibitory control processes in a performance evaluation threat situation: Evidence from ERP. Biological Psychology, 168, 108241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108241
65. Yaghoobi, A. , Mohagheghi, H. , Yousef Zade, M. , Ganji, K. and Olfatii, N. (2014). The effect of time management training on test anxiety and academic achievement motivation among high school students. Journal of School Psychology, 3(1), 131-144. [Persian] https://doi.org/ jsp-3-1-93-3-9

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License.

© 2026 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | Journal of Psychological Science

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)