Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Reducing Psychosomatic Symptoms and Test Anxiety in the University Entrance Exam Candidates

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on reducing psychosomatic symptoms and test anxiety in the University entrance exam candidates.

Methods and Materials: 

The present study was an experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included the senior female high school students in Bonroud district of Isfahan province in the educational year (2020-2021), who were selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling method and among students who had high anxiety scores (1 standard deviation above average). 12 students were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 12 students were randomly assigned to the control group. The experimental group underwent mindfulness-based stress reduction program intervention for 8 sessions. The control group did not receive any intervention. TAI test anxiety (Abolghasemi et al., 2006) and psychosomatic complaints (Takata and Sakata, 2004) questionnaires were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed using statistical methods of Analysis of Covariance. Participants were allowed to leave the study whenever they wished. The informed consent form was completed by the individuals before the study began.

The results of ANCOA analysis showed that the experimental intervention could significantly reduce test anxiety (P<001) and reduce psychosomatic symptoms (P<001) in students of the experimental group.

According to the findings, it can be concluded that mindfulness-based stress reduction program has been able to have a positive effect on reducing test anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms in the University entrance exam candidates.