The effectiveness of self-compassion training on self-criticism and social self-efficacy of female students with test anxiety

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of self-compassion training on self-criticism and social self-efficacy of female students with test anxiety. This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all students with high school exam anxiety in Noshahr who referred to the centers and clinics of Noshahr in the academic year 1401-1400. The research sample consists of 30 students (15 experiments and 15 controls) of students with test anxiety who are selected using the available sampling method and are randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent compassion treatment for 8 sessions and the control group waited for treatment during this period. Data collection method was assessed based on Spielberger (1980) Test Anxiety Scale, Louise Self-Criticism Scale and Connelly (1989) Social Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Analysis of information obtained from the questionnaire was performed using SPSS 23 software in the inferential section (analysis of covariance). Findings showed that self-compassion is effective on self-criticism and social self-efficacy of female students with test anxiety, meaning that self-compassion leads to improved self-criticism and social self-efficacy of female students with test anxiety.