A study of the relationship between family function and test anxiety and the mediating role of differentiation among students

Students test anxiety is one of the most important issues that influences young people. Several factors are involved in formation and strengthening of test anxiety which can be noted as family function and differentiation of people. This study examined the relationship between family functioning and anxiety with an eye on the mediating role of differentiation between the male students. This quantitative study using a descriptive and correlational approach was performed through path analysis. Using the multi-stage cluster sampling, we selected 140 students from among high school students in Malayer city as our sample. They filled Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI), and Test Anxiety Questionnaire (TAQ). The data were analyzed through correlation and path analysis using the SPSS and AMOS showing that the family function directly (-0.298) and indirectly (through differentiation) (-0.037) has effects on test anxiety. Furthermore, each variable of family function and differentiation has significant negative relationship with test anxiety.