The Relationship of Test Anxiety to Serum Beta-endorphin.

186 Pages·2007·3.92 MB·English

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 276 564
SE 047 537
AUTHOR
Molinaro, Jane Anne
TITLE
The Relationship of Test Anxiety to Serum
Beta-endorphin.
INSTITUTION
Ohio State Univ., Columbus. Graduate School.
PUB DATE
86
NOTE
186p.; Ph.D. Dissertation, Ohio State University.
Correlation tables contain small print.
PUB TYPE
Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations (041)
-- Reports - Research/Technical (143)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PCO8 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
Anxiety; Biochemistry; College Science; Higher
Education; *Human Body; *Physiology; *Premedical
Students; Science Education; *Test Anxiety; *Test
Wiseness
IDENTIFIERS
Endorphins; Hormones; Medical College Admission Test;
*Science Education Research
ABSTRACT
This study attempted to determine if test anxiety is
manifested in pre-medical students as a result of the Medical College
Admission Test (MCAT) and if Beta-endorphin similarly responds to
that type_of situational stress._Seventeen_participants completed_the
Test Anziety_inventoryATAII_by Spielberger_et al. (1980) and donated
30_mi lf blood for Beta-endorphin analysis pwo days prior to the MCAT
and also three days after the test. Student grade point averave (GPA)
and number of science courses were other variables analyzed. Results
indicated that TAI were more elevated pre-MCAT and Beta-endorphin wts
higher after-the examination. Total TAI was significantly inversely
related to GPA and there were positive correlations between GPA_and
MCAT scores. Regression results_indicated_that_select_items_from TAI,
GPA. and Beta-endorphin could be used to predict performance on
particular_MCAT subsets and that MCAT scores were influenced by test
anxiety. Appendices include copies of the TAI, procedures used in
processing blood samples for Beta-endorphin, and complete correlation
matrices. A 14-page bibliography is included. (ML)
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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
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THE RELATIONSHIP OF TEST ANXIETY TO SERUM
BETA-ENDORPHIN
"PERMISSION TO-REPRODUCE THIS
MA RIAL HAS t
N GRANTED BY
By
U11,0EPOTATMENT_0 F EDUCATION
Improvement
Office Of Educational fhispearch and
INFORMATION
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
tat- -
CENTER (ERIC)
reproduced-Si
XTfus-rdocUMent ha* bees
Sister Jane Anne Molinaro; PhD;
organization
received -from the person Or
originating it
made to improve
0 Minor-chiitideLhave Peen
The Ohio State University, 1986
orp_7_Puch quality
TO_THE EDUCATIONALRESOURCEs
in this docu,
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC):"
Points of view ottomiontstated
represent official
Meat do_ not necessarily
Professor Robert W. Howe, AdViter
OERI posthon of ()WV
The purpose of this study was to test pre-medical students before and after the Medical
College Admission Test (MCAT) to determine the presence of test anxiety and its effect on
MCAT scores.
Seventeen participants reported two days prior to the MCAT to complete the Test Anxiety
Inventory (TAi; by Spielberger et al., 1980, and to donate 30 ml of blocd.
Subjects returned
Results I the TM (with SubticaleS WorrY,
three days pbst-MCAT to reptat the prOcedure.
Plasma was eltracted from
to post-MCAT seruin
Emotionality, Total) were tabulated.
Pre
tamples and subted to Radioimmunoassay (R1A) tr; measure th c. amount of Beta-endorphin;
Student GPA and number of ScieLce courses were other variables analyzed.
It was hypothesized that the TM scores and Beta-endorphin levels would be significantly
elevated as a result of stress associated with the MCAT, and test anxiety (as measured by
It was further
TM and Beta-endorphin) would be significantly
to MCAT scores.
related
hypothesized that TM scbres would lie related to Ekta-endorphin and that GPA and Science
courses would relate to MCAT and test anxiety measure&
Results indicated that TM (subszales) were more elevated pre-MCAT and Beta-endorphin
Test anxiety (TM Total and subicales) wag significantly
was higher after the examination.
Pre-MCAT Beta-endorphin was negatively corre-
inversely related to performance on MCAT.
lated with MCAT subsets of Chemistry and Science Problem& TM subscales and serum Beta-
endorphin were not significantly correlated; several items of the TM were significantly related
to Beta-endorphin.
2
page 2
There were positive correlations
Total TAI Was Significantly inverse y related to GPA.
between GPA and MCAT scores.
Pre-MCAT Beta-endorphin results showed a significant positiVe relationthip with under-
with undergraduate Chemistry
coufses.
correlation
negativt
Biology; a
significant
graduate
Chemis-
Post-MCAT Beta- endorphin data was Significantly inversely correlated with graduate
try courses.
Beta-endorphin could
RegreStiOn results indicated that select items from the TM; GPA and
MCAT scores were
be used to predict perforniante on particular MCAT subtets and that
influenced by test anxiety;
The Appindicet
Other conclusions and recommendations for further research are presented.
Beta-endorphin; and
include copies of the TAI, pitcedures used in processing blood samples for
complete correlation matrices;
The Relationship of Test Anxiety to Serum Seta-endorphin
DISSERTATION
Pro Tented in Ktrtial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Giswuate
Scho Ol of The Ohio State University
By
Sister lane Anne Molinaro, A.B.
The Ohio State University
1986
Dissertation Committee:
Approved by
Rob-ert W. Howe
Stanley L Helgeson
Gopi A. Teiwani
Robert V. Howc Adviser
Cm liege of Education: Theory and Practice
DEDICATION
To my deceased parents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the disiertation committee members: Dr. Roben
W. Howe, whose competence and intelligence was augmented by patience; Dr. Gopi A.
Tejwani, who generously shared laboratory facilities and extensive knowledge about
serum Beta-endorphin research; Dr. Stanley L Helgeson who never complained about
reading "still another copy."
Special thanks to Jim Wagner from the Baker Computer Center for his technical
assistance.
I am deeply indebted to all my friends who saic4 "You will make id"
gratefully acknowledge my natural and religious families whose prayen and
I
support have sustained me throughout this endeavor.
I praise and thank God for His many blessings and pray that I will
Above
use this accomplishment for His greater Honor and Glory.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
DEDICATION
ili
ACKNOWULDGEMENTS
iv
VITA
LIST OF TABLES
viii
UST OF FIGURES
INTRODUCTION
L
1
NWtcl for_ _the Stady
2
1
1 1
I
Piirpose_cif _the_ Study_
9
_
Statement of the _Problem
10
Definition of Terms
12
Delimitations
13
LiMitations
13
HYliothesfs_
14
_ _
Plan of the Report
16
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
17
Characteristics of Test Anxiety
17
Characteristics of Serum Beta-endorphin
33
43
RESFARCH DESIGN kND PROCEDURES
Population of Study
4.3
44
Instrumentation
50
Treatment
Noiidures of Dina Collet_tion
51
Extraction of Beth-endorphin from Placma
52
53
Radioimmuncessay
60
IV.
RESULTS
60
Sample Characteristics
67
Correlational Ani:yses
76
Regression Analyses
Hypothesis and Problem Testing
81
86
SYNTHESIS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
V.
Synthfisis of Findings and Discussion
86
93
Recommendations
VI.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
109
A. TAI TEST FORM
110
TM TEST FOILM
B. CONSENT TO SPECIAL TREATMENT OR PROCEDURE FORM
111
. .
112
CONSEN7 FORM
113
CONSENT FORM
C TALC TREATMENT
114
SELICIC ACED 71MATIODU
115
D.
MAIITRIALS USED IN RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
116
116
Antibody
vl
117
Label_
_
117
Standard
Buffer
118
118
Charcoal
F.
119
STALNDARD CURVE PREPARATION
STUDY DATA
120
PILOT
G.
H. MEANS
SD, AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEANS FOR ALL
123
SUBJECTS
L STkNDARD CURVE RESULTS
124
Plots of Experimental Data
125
MTANS OF THREE ASSAYS
128
130
K. SUBJECT PROFILES
CORREIATION MATRICES
133
Correlation Table for All Subjects from J4AIN Study
134
Correlation_Table for Subjects from MAIN Study (Outliers
170
Removed)
LIST OF TABLES
PAGE
TABLE
47
Test-Atetest Reliabilty for TAI Stores
1.
48
College Grads
Correlations of TM Scores/Measures of Anxiety for ;
2.
49
Ccirrelations of TM S=res with Academic Achievement
3.
51
Frequency Chart for all Subjects
4.
62
Means and SD of TM Scores Pre and Pott=MCAT
5.
63
Differences Between Means of TAI Pre and Post-MCAT
6.
64
Means and SD of We Pre and Post MCAT
7;
Milian) and Bateiine
Differences Between Means of B-e (W/O
8.
65
Valuet
e (W/O Outliers) Pre and Post-
Differences Between Means of
9.
66
MCAT
67
Correlation Matrix for TM (W,U) ,- B-c GM
(Pre-MCAT)
10.
68
(Post-MCAT)
Correlation Matrix for TAI (W,E,T), We, GM
11;
Correlation Matrix for TM (W, Ej T), GM, We, and Performance
12.
70
on MCAT (Pre-MCAT)
Correlation Matrix for TAI (W, E, T), GM, B-e and Performance
13.
71
on MCAT (Post-MCAT)
Correlation Matrix for TM (W,E,T) and Related Science Courses
14.
74
(Pro and Pat:MCAT)
Corselation Matrix for B-e and Related Science Courses (Pre and
15.
75
Post-MCA.T)
77
Regression Analysis for MCAT-Biology
16.
78
Regression Analysis for MCAT .''hemistry
17.
1 0