SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION AND RELAXATION OF HIGH-TEST-ANXIOUS SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Answers 2 questions: (1) is the systematic desensitization of test anxiety effective with secondary school students; and (2) is relaxation per se as useful a technique as systematic desensitization? High-test-anxious secondary school students were assigned to 1 of 2 experimental conditions, desensitization or relaxation, and met for 20 min. daily for a period of 6 wk. Their results were compared to those of a no-treatment control group. It appeared that the experimental Ss underwent a significant reduction in anxiety; however, only among Grade 13 Ss was there a trend toward improved academic performance. The relaxation per se treatment was more effective in reducing general anxiety than systematic desensitization. The results and their implications for future research are discussed. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.