Clinical Psychology and Personality

Clinical Psychology and Personality

Comparing the Effects of Self-Compassion Training and Cognitive Restructuring Training on the Self-Efficacy of Students with Test Anxiety

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Psychology, ToJ.C., Islamic Azad University, Torbat Jam, Iran
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Kash.C., Islamic Azad University, Kashmar,
3 Department of Psychology, ToJ.C, Islamic Azad University, Torbat Jam, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of self-compassion training and cognitive restructuring training on the self-efficacy of students experiencing test anxiety.
Method: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test-post-test design with control and follow-up groups. The statistical population consisted of male high school students in Rashtkhar during the 2024–2025 academic year. A total of 45 students were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each: two experimental groups and one control group. The research instruments included the Friedman Test Anxiety Scale (1997) and the Scherrer General Self-Efficacy Scale (1982). The experimental groups participated in eight separate 60-minute sessions of self-compassion and cognitive restructuring training, while the control group did not receive any training. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferroni post hoc test.
Results: The results indicated that both self-compassion and cognitive restructuring methods significantly improved students' self-efficacy (P < 0.001). Both approaches increased students' self-efficacy; however, self-compassion training was more effective than cognitive restructuring training in both the post-test and follow-up periods (P < 0.05).
Discussion and conclusion: In general, the results indicate that both therapeutic approaches are effective in increasing students' self-efficacy and can be used as valuable methods for empowering students.
Keywords

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