Academic examinations and anxiety: The interaction model empirically tested

The person-by-situation interaction model of anxiety was tested in the reallife setting of an academic examination. Twenty-eight male and 79 female university students served as subjects. State anxiety (A-State) was assessed just prior to the examination (Trial 2) and approximately 1 week before (Trial 1) and after (Trial 3) the examination. Five facets of trait anxiety (A-Trait) were measured in a nonstressful situation 1 week prior to the examination. The subject's cognitive appraisal of the various situations was assessed by a self-report index of the type and degree of threat involved in the situation just experienced. As predicted, a significant A-Trait-by-situation interaction in eliciting A-State was observed for social evaluation A-Trait. There were no interactions for the other, noncongruent facets of trait anxiety. The results also indicated that individuals' perception of situations may be the most important factor affecting reactions to stressful situations. In general, the results were interpreted as providing support for the multidimensionality of A-Trait and further validation of the interaction model of anxiety.