Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of systematic desensitization (behavioral therapy and cognitive restructuring (cognitive therapy) in reducing high-stakes test anxiety. We hypothesized that cognitive restructuring would be superior to systematic desensitization in reducing the severity of the cognitive symptoms of anxiety, whereas systematic desensitization would be superior to cognitive restructuring in reducing the severity of the physiological symptoms of anxiety.
Materials And Method: The study included 50 (36 female and 14 male) high school graduates and high school seniors aged 16-22 years (mean:18.3 years) that experienced test anxiety while taking their university entrance exam. Participants were randomly assigned to the behavior therapy or cognitive therapy groups. Participants in both groups received 9 sessions of structured group therapy with the same therapist. Each participant's level of anxiety and depression, psychiatric symptoms, and dysfunctional thoughts were measured throughout the therapy process.
Results: Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant decrease in the score of each outcome measure employed in both groups. There weren't any significant differences in terms of the alleviation of the cognitive symptoms of anxiety, as measured with the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, or physiological symptoms, as assessed with the Beck Anxiety Inventory between the 2 groups. The 2 therapy methods resulted in statistically significant reductions in the level of test anxiety, as well as state anxiety, trait anxiety, self-reported depression, and general symptom levels.
Conclusion: The behavioral and cognitive therapies were equally effective in reducing the severity of the cognitive and physiological components of test anxiety.
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