A Study of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on test anxiety, perceived stress, quality of academic life, and motivational beliefs of female students with test anxiety in ninth grade
A study on the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on test anxiety, perceived stress, academic quality of life, and motivational beliefs among ninth-grade female students with test anxiety
Design
A randomized, parallel-group, open-label (non-blinded), controlled clinical trial involving 40 patients. The `rand` function in Microsoft Excel will be used for randomization.
Settings and conduct
The statistical population for this study consists of all ninth-grade female students in the city of Ahvaz who suffer from test anxiety and seek services at the Counseling Center of the Ahvaz General Directorate of Education during the designated study period. A convenience sampling method will be employed to select the sample. Following the selection of 40 participants—based on the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria—they will be randomly assigned to either the "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction" group (the intervention group) or the "waitlist" group (the control group).
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Ninth-grade girls aged 14–15 years; Anxiety score of at least one standard deviation above the mean.
Exclusion criteria: Unwillingness to participate in the study; a history of clinical disorders requiring immediate medication or treatment.
Intervention groups
Intervention group: All ninth-grade girls with test anxiety who will receive Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) treatment.
Control group: All ninth-grade girls with test anxiety who will not receive any intervention.
Main outcome variables
Test Anxiety, Perceived Stress, Academic Quality of Life, Motivational Beliefs
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20261017071459N1
Registration date:2026-10-30, 1405/08/08
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-10-30, 1405/08/08
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-10-30, 1405/08/08
Registrant information
Name
Nazanin Amirjani
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 61 3446 4085
Email address
n.amirjani@iau.ir
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-11-01, 1405/08/10
Expected recruitment end date
2026-11-11, 1405/08/20
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
A Study of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on test anxiety, perceived stress, quality of academic life, and motivational beliefs of female students with test anxiety in ninth grade
Public title
The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Reducing Test Anxiety and Improving Quality of Life and Motivation Among Female Students
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Ninth-grade girls, aged 14 to 15
Scoring one standard deviation above the mean on test anxiety
Exclusion criteria:
Unwillingness to participate in the research
A history of psychotic disorders, major depression, severe generalized anxiety disorders, or other clinical conditions requiring immediate medication or treatment.
Age
From 14 years old to 15 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
40
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
The statistical population for this study consists of all ninth-grade female students suffering from test anxiety who visit the counseling center of the General Directorate of Education during the study's designated timeframe. A convenience sampling method will be employed to select the sample. Following the selection of 40 participants—based on the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria—they will be randomly assigned to either the "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction" group (intervention group) or the "waiting list" group (control group). Randomization will be conducted using a permuted-block design with varying block sizes (4 and 6) by an independent statistician who is not involved in the study's implementation. The randomization sequence will be generated using the RAND function in Microsoft Excel and placed into opaque, sealed, and numbered envelopes to ensure that neither the researcher nor the participants are aware of the allocation sequence (allocation concealment). The envelopes will be opened—revealing the assigned group—only at the time each participant enters the study. To ensure the equivalence of baseline variables (such as anxiety level and age) between the two groups, their distribution will be examined during the statistical analysis phase.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch
1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention
Method of measurement
Measurement will be conducted using Test Anxiety Inventory (Abolghasemi et al., 1375).
2
Description
Perceived Stress
Timepoint
1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention
Method of measurement
Measurement will be conducted using the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983).
3
Description
Academic Quality of Life
Timepoint
Measurement will be conducted using the Inley and Burke (1992) Academic Quality of Life Questionnaire.
Method of measurement
1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention
4
Description
Motivational Beliefs
Timepoint
1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention
Method of measurement
Measurement will be conducted using the Motivational Beliefs Questionnaire by Pintrich and DeGroot (1990).
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Session duration: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8. Session frequency: Two sessions per week. Therapeutic tools employed: This intervention focuses on developing the capacity for present-moment awareness, non-judgmental acceptance, and emotional regulation. Key components include: formal and informal mindfulness practices, the "three-minute breathing space" exercise, guided group discussions, and the identification of negative automatic thoughts related to examinations. The content of the sessions is structured as follows: Session 1: Introductions among participants, administration of pre-tests, explanation of the rationale behind mindfulness-based therapy, exploration of the concept of exam-related stress and its connection to thoughts and bodily reactions, and instruction in mindful breathing. Session 2: Introduction to the "body scan" practice to enhance awareness of physical sensations and the somatic signs of exam-related stress and anxiety. Session 3: Mindful sitting practices, focusing on the breath as an anchor for attention, and strategies for managing mental distractions during study and examinations. Session 4: Identification of negative automatic thought patterns, maladaptive academic beliefs, and catastrophic thinking regarding grades and exams; practicing the perspective of viewing thoughts as "mental events" rather than absolute facts. Session 5: Working with challenging emotions and stress, fostering emotional acceptance—rather than struggling against anxiety—and practicing the "three-minute breathing space" technique for use during moments of acute anxiety. Session 6: Examining the mind-body connection in the context of academic pressures and expectations (stemming from oneself, family, and school), and managing them through mindful awareness. Session 7: Integrating mindfulness practices into actual study situations and exam days, and developing a personalized self-care plan. Session 8: Consolidating what has been learned, reviewing key techniques to ensure the continuity of practice, administering a post-test, and scheduling a follow-up assessment.
Category
Treatment - Other
2
Description
Control group: The control group will not receive any intervention during the conduct of the study; however, to prevent threats to the study's internal validity—such as compensatory rivalry or demoralization—they will receive the intervention after the data collection phase.
Category
Treatment - Other
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Counseling Center of the General Directorate of Education in Ahvaz
Full name of responsible person
Nazanin Amirjani
Street address
Next to Shohada High School, Fatemi Boulevard, Saat Square