The mediating role of goal orientation on the causal relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and test anxiety

This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship dimensions of perfectionism and test anxiety of goal orientationwas through mediation. For this purpose, 320 students were selected from Shiraz high schools using multi-stage random sampling. three authentic questionnaires were used to collect data. These questionnaires included Perfectionism Inventory Hill et al (2004), Sarason Test Anxiety scale (1984) and Scale of achievement goals. Path analysis using structural equation modeling was implemented for data analysis. Findings showed that the model had a good fitness with the research’s data. In this study, direct path positive perfectionism with dimension of thinking irrelevant was significant negatively. The direct path negative perfectionism to test anxiety (Stress and anxiety, and somatic symptoms and thinking irrelevant) was significant. And direct path positive perfectionism with mastery and performance goal orientation was significant. But the direct path negative perfectionism to mastery and performance goal orientation was not significant. Mastery goal orientation all aspects of test anxiety (Stress and anxiety, and somatic symptoms and thinking irrelevant) negatively predicted. But performance goal orientation did not predict any of the dimensions of test anxiety. positive perfectionism, indirectly, through mastery goal orientation with all aspects of test anxiety (Stress and anxiety, and somatic symptoms and thinking irrelevant) was significant. People with positive perfectionism to choose mastery goals, in stressful situations, such as test anxiety experience less anxiety.