Investigating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Training on Test Anxiety and Social Media Addiction among Students

Zobair  Samimi; Touba  Davoudi; Bahadori khosroshahi; Esmaeil  Qadri

doi:10.18502/tbj.v24i2.19661

Zobair Samimi Assistant Professor Department of Psychology and Educational Technology, International University of Chabahar, Chabahar, Iran
Touba Davoudi Master of Educational Technology, International University of Chabahar, Chabahar, Iran
Bahadori khosroshahi Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran.
Esmaeil Qadri Department of Educational Sciences and Educational Technology, International University of Chabahar, Chabahar, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v24i2.19661

Keywords: Test Anxiety, Social Media, Addictive Behavior, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Students

Abstract

Introduction: Test anxiety and social media addiction are among the major psychological factors that negatively affect students’ academic performance. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral training on test anxiety and social media addiction among high school students.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population included all female students in junior high school in Chabahar during the 2024–2025 academic year. A total of 30 participants were selected using purposive and then random sampling methods and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Following the pretest, the experimental group received cognitive-behavioral training over eight 60-minute sessions (two sessions per week). Data collection instruments included the Spielberger Test Anxiety Inventory (1980) and the Social Media Addiction Questionnaire developed by Khaje Ahmadi et al. (2017). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and independent and paired t-tests in SPSS version 27.

Results: The results showed that in the post-test stage, the subjects in the experimental group had less test anxiety (worry and emotionality) and less addiction to social media compared to the control group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the findings, cognitive-behavioral training had a positive impact on reducing test anxiety and social media addiction among students. This approach can be considered an effective intervention for improving academic-related psychological challenges in adolescents.