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Wang K, Qian J. The Mediating and Moderating Role of Social-Emotional Skills in the Relationship between Sports Participation and Test Anxiety. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:512. [PMID: 38920844 PMCID: PMC11200375 DOI: 10.3390/bs14060512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Test anxiety is a prevalent issue among adolescents, prompting a need for effective coping mechanisms. Participation in sports, which is gaining recognition for its crucial role in alleviating test anxiety, may be effective due to its association with social-emotional skills. Moreover, students with diverse levels of social-emotional skills not only experience enjoyment in sports differently but also perceive test anxiety uniquely, leading to varying interpretations of the relationships between them. Due to the lack of direct evidence, therefore, this study aimed to explore the intricate relationships among sports participation, test anxiety, and social-emotional skills. METHODS Utilizing OECD data from 61,010 participants across 10 locations, all variable measurements were collected through the Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES). RESULTS The results indicated that social-emotional skills mediated and moderated the relationship between sports participation and test anxiety. However, only lower- and medium-level social-emotional skills significantly weakened the negative correlation between sports participation and test anxiety. CONCLUSION Social-emotional skills serve a dual function in the relationship between sports participation and test anxiety. Not only do they elucidate why sports participation can alleviate test anxiety, but they also act as regulators, moderating the extent of this alleviation. These findings provide valuable insights for educational interventions, underscoring the importance of sports participation and the cultivation of social-emotional skills in mitigating test anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiali Qian
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 210 Guangming Hall, NO. 800 Dongchuan Street, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China;
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Tian M, Liu C, Xi J, Wang L, Zhang P, Liu C, Zhao K, Wu Y, Li R, Jia X, Yu Y. Effects of greenness in university campuses on test anxiety among Chinese university students during COVID-19 lockdowns: a correlational and mediation analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:2605-2617. [PMID: 37820697 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2263382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations of greenness exposure with test anxiety among university students during COVID-19 lockdowns and to explore their mechanisms. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 2609 university students in Anhui and Shandong provinces, China. We assessed perceived campus greenness using a five-point Likert scale for quality, visibility, abundance, usage, and accessibility. Objective greenness was estimated via average normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) in 1,000-, 1,500-, and 2,000-m radius zones around each of the campuses. A generalised linear mixed model examined the associations between greenness and test anxiety and to evaluate the mediation effects of physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and air pollution. Results showed that higher NDVI1500-m correlated with lower test anxiety (OR = 0.871; 95% CI: 0.851, 0.891), physical activity may partially mediate this association. Increased campus greenness may alleviate test anxiety among Chinese university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihui Tian
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Chengrong Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Jingwen Xi
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Liya Wang
- Department of Physiology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Peiyao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Physiology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Xianjie Jia
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Physiology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
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Thomson CJ, Lesser IA, Hatfield GL. Psychological and physiological effects of an acute bout of yoga before a simulated academic exam in university students. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38330344 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2308267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Test anxiety is common among nursing students. Yoga is one form of physical activity which may be beneficial for pretest anxiety. Participants: Thirteen undergraduate students (85% nursing majors, 15% awaiting program entry, 20 ± 4.9 years of age) completed the crossover design study. Methods: Participants completed a yoga or control intervention (independent quiet study) on opposing testing days. At three time points, participants provided ratings of anxiety (visual analog scales), saliva samples for cortisol and alpha amylase, and seated heart rate variability (HRV, time and frequency domains) was recorded. Results: Yoga prior to a simulated exam had a positive impact on subjective measures of stress but did not positively impact cortisol or HRV compared to the control condition. Conclusions: There may be benefits to participating in 30 min of moderate intensity yoga for reduced perception of stress before a scholarly examination. Further research regarding the impacts of acute yoga on physiological measures of HRV and/or cortisol are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iris A Lesser
- School of Kinesiology, University of the Fraser Valley, Canada
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Huang H, Huang S, Chen S, Gao X, Cai J, Feng Y, Liu J, Su X, Qiu J, Zhang S, Xu Y, Liu Z, Wang T, Zeng F. Interventions for psychiatric disorders among university students: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2024; 24:100431. [PMID: 38287943 PMCID: PMC10823073 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Mental disorders are considered to be the main reason for the increase of the disease burden. College students seem to be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of stress, which makes them more at risk of suffering from mental disorders. This umbrella review aimed to evaluate the credibility of published evidence regarding the effects of interventions on mental disorders among university students. Methods To identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the effects of interventions on mental disorders in the university student population, extensive searches were carried out in databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database, spanning from inception to July 21, 2023. Subsequently, a thorough reanalysis of crucial parameters such as summary effect estimates, 95 % confidence intervals, heterogeneity I2 statistic, 95 % prediction intervals, small-study effects, and excess significance bias was performed for each meta-analysis found. Results Nineteen articles involving 74 meta-analyses were included. Our grading of the current evidence showed that interventions based on exercise, Cognitive-behavioural Intervention (CBI), mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), and other interventions like mood and anxiety interventions (MAI) were effective whereas exercise intervention had the highest effect size for both depression and anxiety among university students. However, the credibility of the evidence was weak for most studies. Besides, suggestive evidence was observed for the positive effects of CBI on sleep disturbance(SMD: -0.603, 95 % CI: -0.916, -0.290; P-random effects<0.01) and MAI on anxiety (Hedges'g = -0.198, 95 % CI: -0.302, -0.094; P-random effects<0.01). Conclusion Based on our findings, it appears that exercise interventions, CBI, and MAI have the potential to alleviate symptoms related to mental disorders. Despite the overall weak credibility of the evidence and the strength of the associations, these interventions offer a promising avenue for further exploration and research in the future. More high-quality randomized controlled trials should be taken into account to verify the effects of these interventions on various mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Huang
- Political Security Department of the Party Committee/People's Armed Forces Department, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Shaofen Huang
- Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Zone Hospital, 36 Gongye 7th Road, Shekou, Shenzhen 518067, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Shiyun Chen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xuping Gao
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
- Peking University Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), 51 Huayuan Bei Road, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yonghui Feng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jiazi Liu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xin Su
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jiamin Qiu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Shiwen Zhang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Ying Xu
- Baoan Center for Chronic Diseases Control, 332 Yu'an 2nd Road, Bao'an District, Shenzhen 518101, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Baoan Center for Chronic Diseases Control, 332 Yu'an 2nd Road, Bao'an District, Shenzhen 518101, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Ting Wang
- School of Management, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Fangfang Zeng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, PR China
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Kaur Khaira M, Raja Gopal RL, Mohamed Saini S, Md Isa Z. Interventional Strategies to Reduce Test Anxiety among Nursing Students: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1233. [PMID: 36673999 PMCID: PMC9858718 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Nursing students are reported to have moderate to high test anxiety, leading to reduced academic performance, poor self-esteem, and failure to complete the program and practice nursing. This review aims to examine the interventions for test anxiety reduction in nursing students. Following the PRISMA guidelines, peer-reviewed experimental studies published in English between 2016 and 2021 from four databases, EBSCOhost, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus, were systematically searched. The findings were presented in tabular and narrative form. Among the 722 studies retrieved, 14 selected studies were critically appraised, guided by the Joanna Briggs checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials and the checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies, resulting in 11 studies for inclusion in the systematic review. Test anxiety was assessed by different scales. Aromatherapy hand massage, aromatherapy using a diffuser in combination with music therapy, confidence training for test relaxation, coping program, music therapy, emotional freedom technique, animal-assisted intervention, and guided imagery were all found to be effective in reducing test anxiety. In conclusion, while numerous interventions to reduce test anxiety in nursing students were found to be effective, the quality of the studies investigating these interventions was varied with generally small sample sizes and limited follow-up. Future research should be conducted, and the same interventions should be carried out using a larger sample size to strengthen the body of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjit Kaur Khaira
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Cyberjaya, Cyberjaya 63000, Malaysia
| | | | - Suriati Mohamed Saini
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Zaleha Md Isa
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
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Luan J, Yang M, Zhao Y, Zang Y, Zhang Z, Chen H. Aromatherapy with inhalation effectively alleviates the test anxiety of college students: A meta-analysis. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1042553. [PMID: 36687893 PMCID: PMC9853416 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1042553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Test anxiety is one of the common psychological and behavioral problems of college students, which can result in poor academic performance and even academic failure. Aromatherapy has been proposed as a promising method to reduce test anxiety in college students, but its precise efficacy has not been fully confirmed. This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of aromatherapy on the symptoms of test anxiety in college students to serve as a reference for future research and provide more scientific and exact evidence. Methods PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Science Direct, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-Text Database (VIP), and Wanfang Data were electronically searched from inception to June 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on aromatherapy for treating students' test anxiety. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for RCTs was used by two reviewers to critically and independently assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Review Manager 5.4 was used for the meta-analysis. Stata 17.0 was used for sensitivity analysis and Egger's test. Results Seven RCTs included 425 patients, with a moderate risk of bias in the included studies. The meta-analysis found that aromatherapy effectively reduced test anxiety in college students (SMD = -0.67, p < 0.01), with high heterogeneity of results (I 2 = 72%). The different types of essential oil devices used in the study are the source of inter-study heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis suggested that most effective methods were aromatherapy with compound essential oils (SMD = -0.91, p < 0.01), and using cloths or pads as the essential oil devices (SMD = -1.03, p < 0.01). There was no difference between aromatherapy and placebo control groups (SMD = -0.65, p = 0.25). Conclusion Aromatherapy with inhalation can help relieve test anxiety in college students, but more and higher-quality studies are needed. This study provides a reference for future research designs in terms of the selection of essential oil types and devices and the design of research groups. Systematic review registration [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42022345767].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiage Luan
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Mengshu Yang
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yu Zang
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Haiying Chen
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Zhu R, Fang Y, Li H, Liu Y, Wei J, Zhang S, Wang L, Fan R, Wang L, Li S, Chen T. Psychobiotic Lactobacillus plantarum JYLP-326 relieves anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms in test anxious college via modulating the gut microbiota and its metabolism. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1158137. [PMID: 37033942 PMCID: PMC10077425 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1158137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Test anxiety is a common issue among college students, which can affect their physical and psychological health. However, effective interventions or therapeutic strategies are still lacking. This study aims to evaluate the potential effects of Lactobacillus plantarum JYLP-326 on test anxious college students. Methods Sixty anxious students were enrolled and randomly allocated to the placebo group and the probiotic group. Both groups were instructed to take placebo and JYLP-326 products twice per day for three weeks, respectively. Thirty unanxious students with no treatments were assigned to a regular control group. The anxiety, depression, and insomnia questionnaires were used to measure students' mental states at the baseline and the end of this study. 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were performed to analyze the changes in the gut microbiota and fecal metabolism. Results The questionnaire results suggested that JYLP-326 administration could relieve the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in test anxious students. The gut microbiomes of the placebo group showed a significantly greater diversity index than the control group (p < 0.05). An increased abundance of Bacteroides and Roseburia at the genus level was observed in the placebo group, and the relative abundance of Prevotella and Bifidobacterium decreased. Whereas, JYLP-326 administration could partly restore the disturbed gut microbiota. Additionally, test anxiety was correlated with disordered fecal metabolomics such as a higher Ethyl sulfate and a lower Cyclohexylamine, which could be reversed after taking JYLP-326. Furthermore, the changed microbiota and fecal metabolites were significantly associated with anxiety-related symptoms. Conclusion The results indicate that the intervention of L. plantarum JYLP-326 could be an effective strategy to alleviate anxiety, depression, and insomnia in test anxious college students. The potential mechanism underlying this effect could be related to the regulation of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhe Zhu
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yilin Fang
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hongyu Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jing Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shuwei Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Liwei Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Rui Fan
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lingfang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shengjie Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Tingtao Chen, ; Shengjie Li,
| | - Tingtao Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Tingtao Chen, ; Shengjie Li,
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Melguizo-Ibáñez E, González-Valero G, Puertas-Molero P, Alonso-Vargas JM. Emotional Intelligence, Physical Activity Practice and Mediterranean Diet Adherence-An Explanatory Model in Elementary Education School Students. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9111770. [PMID: 36421219 PMCID: PMC9688524 DOI: 10.3390/children9111770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Currently, there is a global concern with regard to the lifestyles of young people. This study aims to study the association between Mediterranean diet adherence, emotional intelligence and physical activity practice in teenagers in the last cycle of elementary education. In turn, this objective is divided into (a) developing an explanatory model of the practice of physical activity, Mediterranean diet adherence and emotional intelligence; and (b) developing a multi-group model according to the gender of the participants. A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted in a sample of 293 elementary school students (M = 11.45; S.D = 0.31). The instruments used were an ad hoc socio-demographic questionnaire, the Trait Meta Mood Scale-24, the KIDMED questionnaire and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. The results show that males show a positive relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and emotional intelligence and between emotional intelligence and physical activity. In contrast, in the case of females, a negative relationship was observed between emotional intelligence and physical activity. In conclusion, it can be seen that gender plays a fundamental role in adolescence, being a key factor influencing an active and healthy lifestyle.
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