Effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Test Anxiety among Secondary School Students

This study investigated the effects of progressive muscle relaxation technique on test anxiety among secondary school adolescents in Onitsha North Local Government Area. Two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance.

Quasi-experimental research was adopted in carrying out the study. A sample size of 68 was chosen from a population of 282 adolescents in SS1 with test anxiety. The sample was derived from two schools selected using purposive sampling technique based on the number of students who scored high on test anxiety. The instrument, Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) was used for data collection. Data relating to research questions were analysed using statistical Mean while data relating to hypotheses were analysed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Findings from the study revealed among others that though the reduction of secondary school students’ test anxiety after progressive muscle relaxation technique differ significantly with that of the conventional counselling group but it was still above the base line of the TAI therefore progressive muscle relaxation technique was not effective on secondary school adolescents’ test anxiety. Based on the findings, implications of the study were noted and recommendations made that Since the technique progressive muscle relaxation was found not to be effective, but significantly reduced the test anxiety of the participants, the technique should not be used alone by the guidance counsellors in helping clients, especially adolescents in overcoming their test anxiety in schools.