Exploring the Experiences of the Effect of Holy Quran Reading on Test Anxiety among Nursing Students: A Qualitative Study

Test anxiety، a common phenomenon among college students، is one of the problems of educational systems. According to the Islamic religious doctrines، spiritual relationship with Allah (God) comforts the hearts and prevents anxiety. Therefore، this study was performed with the goal of exploring the experiences of the effect of Holy Quran reading on students test anxiety in Arak University of Medical Sciences، Arak، Iran.

In a qualitative research، 23 participants were interviewed in Arak University of Medical Sciences during 2 months. The study started by purposive sampling and as the categories evolved it was continued by theoretical sampling. The data were analyzed based on the content analysis method.

Data analysis has shown that the third codes of the effect of Quran reading on participants’ test anxiety were controlling test anxiety، strengthening the capacity of the individual، the effect of sounds and meanings of the Quran، and final effects of Quran reading. Moreover، “the effect of holy Quran reading on all dimensions of test anxiety and strengthening the capacity of the individual” emerged as the main theme of the present study.

Using qualitative method، the experiences of the effect of Quran reading on students’ test anxiety were more deeply recognized in comparison to using quantitative method. On the other hand، the main theme of this study (“the effect of holy Quran reading on all dimensions of test anxiety and strengthening the capacity of the individual”) is an important finding which is completely in agreement with Allah’s speech in the Quran. Therefore، in order to benefit more from divine grace and blessing of Allah manifested by the verse of the holy Quran، Quran reading is recommended for all students، especially during exams.