Relationship among metacognitive beliefs, self- efficacy, optimism and exam anxiety of medical science students

The main purpose of this investigation was study relationship among metacognitive beliefs، self- efficacy، optimism and exam anxiety in Mazandaran medical university. Other aims of this were study difference between two sexes in exam anxiety، metacognitive beliefs، self- efficacy and optimism. The sample of study included 207 students that selected with randomize cluster sampling and answered to Spielberger Exam Anxiety Inventory، short form of metacognitive questionnaire، Sherer self- efficacy inventory and revised form of Life Orientation Exam. Data was analyzed by stepwise regression، Pierson correlation and independent t-exam. There are positive significant relationship between dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs، positive beliefs about worry، Cognitive Self-consciousness and Cognitive Confidence. These factors with self- efficacy، optimism accounted for 27 present of the variation in the of exam anxiety. Moreover، the result showed that female exam anxiety and negative beliefs about thoughts uncontrollability was significantly greater from male but there were not any significant difference among other dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and self- efficacy، optimism of two sexes. The result showed that metacognitive beliefes، self- efficacy and optimism have important role in exam anxiety; therefore these factors should be considered in educational and therapeutic actions for reduction exam anxiety.