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College students with disabilities continue to experience various challenges in their transition into postsecondary education. However, limited research has focused on their initial transition, despite the significance of its impact on college students with disabilities. This qualitative study examined first-semester transition experiences among freshmen with disabilities at a public research university in the Southeastern United States. Responses (i.e., post-course interviews, course reflections, online discussion boards) from thirteen students of 2018 to 2021 cohorts of the Engage 100 course (an orientation program for freshmen with disabilities) were analyzed through a qualitative analysis approach. The results indicated that college freshmen benefit in their social and academic transition through enrolling in the Engage 100 course. The results highlight the need for disability support services and for college campuses to foster transition success for college students with disabilities.

Sports participation in adolescents may increase social self-efficacy and decrease social anxiety with time. Understanding the correlation between social self-efficacy and social anxiety may be useful for developing effective interventions for adolescents with social anxiety. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between social self-efficacy and social anxiety in athlete and non-athlete adolescents through some variables. A moderate negative correlation was determined between the participants' social self-efficacy and social anxiety levels. It was seen that social self-efficacy and social anxiety levels did not differ statistically according to gender variable. According to the age variable, it was determined that the social self-efficacy level of 16-year-old participants was higher than 15-year-old participants. According to the athletic variable of the study, it was determined that the social self-efficacy level of athlete participants was higher than non-athletes. In the study, it was determined that social anxiety levels did not differ statistically according to athletic status. As a result, it can be said that high social self-efficacy decreases the level of social anxiety in adolescents. Social self-efficacy and social anxiety levels of adolescents do not vary according to gender. While 16 years old participants had higher social self-efficacy than 15 years old participants, their social anxiety levels did not differ according to 15 and 16 years of age. Social self-efficacy of athlete adolescents is higher than nonathletes. In addition, it can be said that there is no statistically significant correlation between participation to sport and social anxiety in adolescents.

Foreign language anxiety (FLA), whose impact is often negative on learners' cognitive processing, happens when a learner pursues a foreign language as a non-native speaker. This study aimed to investigate anxiety in learning English as a foreign language and its influence on learners' cognitive processes. The sample comprised graduate and undergraduate students of RUDN university (n=306 respondents), who were asked to fill up an adapted Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale. The data was analyzed through SPSS v.20 and descriptive statistics were drawn. The findings indicate a statistically important anxiety influence on language performance among university students in classroom settings. Interestingly, the findings also confirmed that foreign language anxiety negatively affects cognitive processing in learning the English language. The study also identified some important affective factors with regard to English language classrooms. These findings would provide useful insights in the domain of foreign language anxiety while taking cognitive dimensions of students' classroom environments. The study also contributes to language education, teaching and learning of English as foreign language, educational psychology, and cognitive sciences. The study recommends to provide more exposure to the learners about the target language to reduce anxiety. Future studies should consider socio-biographical variables such as gender, socioeconomic status, educational background, and age differences as significant variables for a more comprehensive analysis of foreign language anxiety.

The English reading ability of university students is crucial for their academic achievement, regardless of whether they are studying English or any other subject in English. Examining the affective factors that influence this ability is critical for understanding its development. Research has been conducted on the correlation between first language (L1) and English as a second language (ESL/EFL) reading attitudes, but there is limited research on the correlation between L2 and L1. This research seeks to investigate the similarities in reading perspectives between Arabic-speaking international students and English-speaking university students. The study employed surveys and semi-structured interviews to evaluate individuals' viewpoints on bilingual reading. The objective was to assess individuals' attitudes towards reading in two languages. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. The study revealed that students' reading preferences remained consistent across different languages. However, the relationship between second-language reading attitudes and first-language reading attitudes was found to be minimal. The implications of the current study suggest that enhancing reading attitudes in both languages may enhance reading ability. The study utilised subjective data and targeted a specific demographic, limiting its generalizability to more diverse student populations.

The implementation of educating "Basic Life Support (BLS) competences" in German schools is particularly affected by the often reported "implementational gap" --limited transfer of empirical findings into practice. This Design-Based Research (DBR) study evaluates two different methodologies for BLS teaching, generating implications for transfer. Students (N = 136) of a secondary school (11-13 years) were assigned to different methodological approaches. A test group (TG) received intervention implemented into regular biology lessons (10 units; n = 48); the control group (CG) participated in a basic instruction (2 units; n = 68). Both large-scale methods -- subject-matter teaching (TG) and project activity (CG) -- were compared regarding current motivation, self-efficacy, constructivist instruction, cognitive load, and practical skills. Data from n = 125 students (TG=48; TG=68) could be included into analysis (Mage=11,16; SD=.45; 55.2% female). Probability of success and interest increased, anxiety perception decreased (no group-interaction effect), whereas challenge perception remained constantly. Self-efficacy overall improved from before to after intervention, with TG reporting higher social self-efficacy and less negative outcome expectancies. No differences were found for practical BLS performance. MANOVA (after intervention) showed higher values for anxiety in TG, and for self-efficacy, CG has higher values for negative outcome expectancies (post hoc analysis). For cognitive load and constructivist instruction, no differences between groups were found. In conclusion, both methodological approaches seem to have their own pedagogical justification. Schools' implementation processes may benefit from combining (subject-matter) curriculum content with BLS information or content to facilitate time and resource-saving realization.

Based on the assumption that individual learner factors are context-dependent, this exploratory study examined whether differences in two learning environments (Denmark and Spain) have a differential influence on a set of learner factors that have together been previously identified as important in second language (L2) research, specifically, foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA), English competence beliefs (ECB), motivation (ideal L2 self) and attitudes towards English language learning. The study also examined whether the L2 learning environment and learner factors had a differential influence on the proficiency of two groups of adolescent learners, as measured by a more instruction-related test (grammaticality judgment test) and a more out-of-school-exposure-related test (listening comprehension test). The results showed that learning environment had a differential influence on FLCA and that gender had an impact on FLCA and ECB. Furthermore, the study showed a differential impact on the L2 English proficiency of the two learner groups of four different factors (i.e., FLCA, ECB, learners' ideal L2 self, learners' attitudes towards the presence of English in the academic context, and ECB interacting with FLCA). These findings point to a crucial role of the learning environment in L2 learning and provide empirical support for a context-dependent view of the expression of learners' individual characteristics in relation to L2 learning.

The transition in learning trajectories, academic pressures and stressors associated with financial and societal pressure that South African postgraduate university students experience places them at risk of mental health difficulties. For these students, their mental well-being has been further threatened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent switch to emergency remote teaching. This study aimed to explore the physical and psychological health, resilience and coping amongst two Psychology honours student cohorts at a South African university. Using a repeated cross-sectional design, a sample of 38 Psychology honours students enrolled in 2020 and 39 Psychology honours students enrolled in 2021 voluntarily participated in the study. Overall, students reported poor mental health, with elevated levels of anxiety and burnout and moderate post-traumatic stress symptoms. The 2021 cohort reported significantly lower levels of self-efficacy, increased post-traumatic stress symptoms and employed coping through self-blame more frequently. Students' feelings of isolation persisted as well as feelings of hopelessness with regard to the contextual challenges faced by the country and the pandemic. Over the course of the pandemic, students found that they had less anxiety about online learning, however, they noted that the mental health support provided by the university was not sufficient. These results highlight the important role university mental health services play in fostering student mental well-being and thus the need to prioritise making mental health services to students more accessible and efficient.

This study examines differences in anxiety levels among university students. Of particular concern is COVID-19 anxiety and differences among enrollment levels. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design and snowball sampling. The sample of 55 university students included 16 graduate students. Anxiety was measured by the Coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS) by Lee. The non-parametric analysis included Quade's ANCOVA. Results suggest that although there are differences in anxiety levels between genders, no significant differences were found among enrollment levels after controlling for beginning year anxiety. However, the higher levels of anxiety among seniors and females suggest that these groups need added attention during pandemics.

This study aims to determine how technophobia, or dread of technology, hinders education and offers future research recommendations. Utilizing systematic reviews, researchers scoured numerous research sources for articles on technophobia in education. The admissions criteria were established, and 18 research works that met those criteria were selected for the study. The results suggest that fear of technology makes it more difficult for people to embrace and utilize it in education, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend toward online education, bringing new challenges and obstacles. The study suggests additional research into the causes of technophobia, its effects on students, the efficacy of teacher training programs, and the effect of teaching methods on students' dread of technology. Lastly, the study suggests that students, instructors, and education support personnel devise effective strategies to combat technophobia.

This study aimed to validate a modified Statistics Anxiety Scale for students in the United States taking university courses. Modifications were made by changing the wording of several items to be consistent with American English, and to accommodate students taking statistics courses in various formats. Items were added to investigate anxiety toward the use of statistical packages, and peer mentoring. Data from 352 participants and exploratory factor analyses were used to analyze the original 24-item SAS (SAS-O) and a version of the SAS with six additional items (SAS-M). The three-factor structure for SAS-O was consistent with the original validation study, explaining about 64% of the items' variance. The factor structure for SAS-M contained an additional two factors, that explained a total of 68 % of the items' variance. The factors were internally consistent, correlated with one another, and negatively correlated with Wise's Attitude Toward Statistics scale. Male students generally had lower application anxiety and examination anxiety than female students, and lower asking for help anxiety than non-traditional students.

This paper explores the negative impact of the shutdown of contact-based learning on learners' mental health as a result of COVID-19 and provides recommendations to promote learners' mental health during and post COVID-19. A qualitative research method was used to guide the collection and analysis of the data. Data was collected from a sample of 20 learners from Cape Town and analysed through thematic analysis. The study findings revealed that with the shutdown of contact-based learning as one of the COVID-19 containment measures by the government learners experienced social anxiety disorder and sleeping disorder. Youth policymakers need to design interventions that promote mental health in after-school programmes implemented by qualified youth workers and social workers. Youth workers should take the courses of action in a non-formal education to promote youth mental health.

The most important factor negatively affecting individuals' success in professional music education is anxiety of unemployment. For them, graduation from university means the beginning of a life of either employment or unemployment. Job selection plans about the role in real life, friendships, fear of unemployment, and other responsibilities are some of the factors creating anxiety. The aim of this research is to discover the professional anxieties of the music teacher candidates studying in music education departments. The study sought to investigate whether the professional anxiety of the teacher candidates varies depending on their gender, income level of their families, the way they studied musical teaching, and their grades. This research is a descriptive study conducted for the purpose of determining the "anxiety levels" of music teacher candidates in Turkey. The data was collected using a personal information form and the anxiety scales for teacher candidates. The sample group of the study consisted of 80 students studying in Marmara University. According to the study, meaningful variances exist between the variables such as "gender, grade, and income level of the family" and professional anxiety levels.

The aspects of language anxiety involve education, individual, and environment (Öztürk & Gürbüz, 2014). The purpose of this research was to investigate the factors contributing to anxiety in English speaking literacy for communication among third-year high school students in a public school in Bangkok, Thailand. Employing a questionnaire-based approach, the investigation delved into the students' experiences, emphasizing three aspects of anxiety: educational, individual, and environmental factors. The findings revealed high levels of anxiety across these dimensions, with educational factors such as grammatical mistakes and confidence in language skills playing a significant role. Individual anxieties, such as fear of being called on and physical manifestations during English classes, also contribute substantially to students' overall anxiety. Environmental factors, including concerns about teacher and peer reactions, fear of ridicule, and unprepared questions, further heighten language anxiety. The study recommends interventions to enhance English language instruction, creates supportive learning environments, and addresses individual and social dynamics that contribute to anxiety. This research offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers to develop targeted strategies for improving English language literacy and fluency and fostering a conducive atmosphere for practical language usage among Thai students.

The current study aimed to investigate Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Self-Esteem levels among 7th and 10th-grade students in private schools in Amman, Jordan. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the relationship between FoMO and self-esteem. The research also intended to examine differences in FoMO and self-esteem levels between male and female students and across different grade levels. The sample consisted of 590 students randomly selected from private schools in Amman for the academic year 2022/2023. To achieve the study's objectives, the researchers translated and utilized measures of FoMO and self-esteem. They verified the reliability and validity of these measures and administered them to the study sample. The study adopted a descriptive and correlational approach as the most appropriate, aiming to describe the levels of FoMO and self-esteem and reveal potential correlations between the two variables. The results indicated a low level of FoMO among students and a high level of self-esteem. A significant negative correlation was found between FoMO and self-esteem. There were also significant differences in FoMO and self-esteem levels across different grade levels, with 7th grade students scoring higher in all dimensions. However, there were no significant differences in FoMO and self-esteem levels between male and female students, except for the "need for fame" dimension. Statistically significant differences were observed in FoMO levels attributed to grade level, favoring seventh-grade students in all dimensions. No statistically significant differences were found according to gender variables, except in the "need for fame" dimension. Results showed no statistically significant differences in self-esteem related to gender, but there were significant differences in self-esteem related to grade level, favoring tenth-grade students. The mean self-esteem score for tenth-grade students was 3.16, while it was 3.05 for seventh-grade students.

This study addresses the scarcity of research examining technology's impact on learners of English as a foreign language in English for specific purposes (ESP) courses within English-medium instruction (EMI) programs. Focusing on a business communication course using a social question-answering platform, this study explores the interplay among English proficiency, motivational orientations, and online engagement. Surveying 126 university students via a mixed-method approach, this research identifies distinct motivational orientations (intrinsic, extrinsic, and self-efficacy) existing during class activities, influenced by proficiency levels, with notable differences in online participation between beginner and advanced learners. The findings suggest that while online activities enhance peer interaction and teacher feedback, they may trigger anxiety in beginners, potentially diminishing motivation and self-efficacy. These results emphasize the need to tailor technology integration to proficiency levels and motivational orientations in ESP/EMI settings. Practical recommendations are offered for educators aiming to implement effective online activities and provide targeted support, particularly for beginner learners, thereby bolstering their motivation and self-efficacy.

In this study, 96 world language teachers in the state of Georgia completed a survey regarding their delivery of instruction in the target language. While ACTFL (2010, 2021) recommends using the target language 90% or more of the time to deliver instruction, only 20% of the world language instructors who were surveyed reported doing so. According to ACTFL (2010, 2021), delivering instruction in the target language is necessary to create an acquisition-rich environment where learners are exposed to significant amounts of comprehensible input--a key factor for second language acquisition to occur (Krashen, 1982). This study examined three factors that may play a part in world language instructors' practices regarding target language use; namely, teacher proficiency level, level of experience, and teacher foreign language anxiety. The results indicated that teachers' self-reported levels of proficiency were not correlated with delivery of instruction in the target language; however, language anxiety and level of experience appeared to play a part in world language teachers' target language use in the classroom. The findings of this study have implications for pre- and in-service world language teachers and administrators as well as for teacher education programs in Georgia and beyond.

Academic psychological capital (A-PsyCap) is a core construct integrated by four psychological resources (hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism). Little is known about A-PsyCap profiles and their relationship with desirable academic outcomes. This study aims to identify A-PsyCap profiles among Chilean undergraduate students and explore the relationship between A-PsyCap and Coping with Academic Stress and Time Management. A sample of 102 Chilean undergraduate students was considered to achieve these research objectives. A cluster analysis identified four A-PsyCap profiles. The Optimal Profile (P1) scores highest on all four psychological resources; the complementary profile (P2) shows average scores on all four psychological resources; the functional profile (P3) has medium efficacy scores and low scores in hope, resilience, and optimism; and the latent profile (P4) has lower scores on all four psychological resources.. The results explain that these A-PsyCap profiles relate differently to Coping with Academic Stress and Time Management. Additionally, constraints and possibilities for further research are explained.

Learning a foreign language incorporates cognitive, communicative, emotional, and social aspects. Some of these aspects have to do with the structure of the language being studied; some others deal with social and psychological issues that influence the environment where the learning process takes place. This reflection paper addresses various emotional aspects that can bring up positive outcomes along the foreign language learning stages. Elements such as motivation, attitudes, levels of anxiety, acculturation, ethnicity, and personality are considered for this work. Readers should be able to find useful ideas for their ESL/EFL classes.

The impetus of this study is to investigate students' attitudes towards online language learning based on their previous academic experiences and year of study, including the decision to major or minor (i.e., motivation). A total of 975 students completed a survey questionnaire consisting of background information, Likert scale items, and open-ended questions. The quantitative data were analyzed using an exploratory factor analysis and one-way ANOVAs and were complemented with qualitative data based on students' responses. Findings indicate that students generally want consistent access to online learning, and that students with prior online-learning experience or with a desire to take an online course presented a statistically significant more positive perception of online language classes. There were also differences in perception of success in the online classes between those students who intended to major or minor in the language and those who did not. The results further revealed a decline in perception of success in online classes with the higher-level classifications (i.e., year of study). This study provides baseline attitudinal data to be built upon in future research and informs stakeholders of language programs in their curricular decisions.

The current study focuses on the effect of the target language on learner emotions and attitudes/motivation. More specifically, it investigates whether the status and prestige of English results in more positive learner emotions and attitudes/motivation compared to less prestigious languages other than English (LOTE). Statistical analyses of a database of 360 students in an English-speaking university in Kuwait enrolled in English, German, Spanish and French as foreign language classes revealed that the LOTE learners (who also knew English) reported significantly more foreign language enjoyment (FLE), equal levels of foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) and--surprisingly--lower levels of attitudes/motivation than their peers studying English. Due to confounding variables, it is impossible to establish the cause of the difference with certainty, but this outcome does show that a stronger motivation to study English does not necessarily translate into more enjoyment in class. In other words, while FLE and attitudes/motivation typically correlate, they are independent concepts.

Foreign language anxiety (FLA) is a well-documented phenomenon that can significantly affect academic performance. This study examined the extent to which Taiwanese postgraduate students experienced speaking anxiety during thesis defense presentations, along with potential gender differences and variations across postgraduate programs. It specifically analyzed the correlation between anxiety and thesis presentation performance. A meticulously designed study involving 168 Taiwanese master's students in an oral thesis defense seminar employed a modified Academic Performance Scale and Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety instruments to quantitatively evaluate anxiety levels. Statistical analyses unveiled significant associations between anxiety levels and academic performance. The results indicate a high level of anxiety among participants, with a mean anxiety level of 4.05 (N=168, X=2.85) and a moderate level of thesis presentation performance, evidenced by a mean score of 2.85 (N=168, X=2.85). Notably, female postgraduates exhibited higher anxiety levels than their male counterparts. The study identifies a positive, albeit modest, correlation between anxiety and performance, suggesting that a certain level of anxiety may enhance performance. The findings underscore the pervasive influence of anxiety in academic contexts and highlight gender disparities and the impact of diverse postgraduate programs on anxiety and performance. The study challenges conventional assumptions about the negative effects of anxiety on performance, suggesting that moderate anxiety can be a motivating catalyst. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the role of anxiety in learning and performance and prompts the development of targeted interventions to address anxiety and support postgraduate students' academic success.

Research has widely documented the high stress levels posed to college students by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the role of social support in mitigating the mental health impacts of stressors like residential instability among college students is less well-researched. Using data from a multi-campus online survey of college students' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 2,486), this study examines the role of social support in the association between residential move during COVID-19 pandemic and college students' reports of depressive symptoms and anxiety. We tested whether perceived social support was more significantly related to depressive symptoms among students who moved in response to COVID-19. The results show significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and higher prevalence rates of severe anxiety among college students with COVID-19-related move relative to those who did not move during the pandemic. Irrespective of their residential status, college students who received less support than needed during the pandemic had significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and higher odds of severe anxiety. The findings add to the existing studies showing how the COVID-19 pandemic compounds the problems of depression and anxiety among college students, particularly those experiencing residential instability and with limited social support.

Following the tenets of positive psychology, many researchers have explored the realm of teachers' emotions in the past decades. However, the number of studies observing teachers' psycho-emotional factors from a cross-cultural lens has been negligible. To fill this gap, This study examined the association among apprehension, resilience, organizational mattering, and psychological well-being of 411 Indonesian and 285 Iranian English language teachers. The structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses of the data obtained from four questionnaires indicated that while the language teachers' apprehension was weakly correlated with the other factors, the other variables were strongly correlated. Furthermore, the results showed that resilience and organizational mattering were strong predictors of teachers' overall well-being. The cross-cultural comparison of the results revealed that the Indonesian teachers enjoyed more resilience and seemed to cope better with challenging and apprehensive situations. Identifying and regulating negative emotions, like apprehension, can potentially pave the way for policymakers and teacher educators to empower teachers to survive and thrive in the stressful conditions of their profession.

Suicide, which is defined as an individual's intentionally attempting to end his or her life, is considered an important public health problem. In this study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between cognitive distortions and suicide probability in university students who are in age groups at risk for suicide, and to examine the mediating roles of the attachment dimensions of anxiety and avoidance, in this relationship. The study group consisted of 441 university students. In the study, Suicide Probability Scale, Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory, Cognitive Distortions in Relationships Scale and a personal information form were used as data collection tools. In accordance with the purpose of the study, a correlation analysis between variables and regression analyses were applied to examine the mediating roles of avoidance and anxiety in the relationship between cognitive distortions and suicide probability. The findings showed that there was a moderate positive correlational relationship between suicide probability scores and avoidance scores and there was a moderate positive correlational relationship between suicide probability scores and cognitive distortion scores. It was shown that there were low and moderate positive correlations between cognitive distortion scores, and avoidance and anxiety scores. The results of the mediation analyses showed that anxiety and avoidance had a partial mediating role in the relationship between cognitive distortion and suicide probability. The results were discussed in light of the literature.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is undergoing an international and national improvement process in order to achieve internationalization, among others. To this end, it is necessary to optimize the EFL level of VET students. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to analyze the direct and indirect effects of English language anxiety, willingness to communicate in English, and self-efficacy in English on the academic performance in EFL among VET students. The sample consisted of 100 Spanish VET students (75% female-25% male) aged between 18 and 40 years old. Questionnaires on English language anxiety (FLCAS), willingness to communicate in English (WTC), and self-efficacy in English skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) were administered. In addition, academic grade was used to measure the performance in English. The proposed model received a satisfactory fit. The results show that English language anxiety significantly influences academic performance and has a medium effect on willingness to communicate in English. Practical implications for organizing English classes to improve English proficiency in VET are discussed.

There is growing concern about the influence of nomophobia among the majority of young people, attributed to excessive mobile phone use. This study aims to investigate the nomophobia levels of Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz university students. The Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) was employed as the data collection tool. Data were collected from participants during the spring term of the 2021-2022 academic year. A total of 478 students participated: 238 from Azerbaijan and 240 from Kyrgyzstan. Results indicated that Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz students exhibit different nomophobia behaviors. While 36.1% of Azeri students experience a severe level of nomophobia, 23.3% of Kyrgyz students do. Female students in both countries are more affected than their male counterparts. Younger students are also more susceptible to nomophobia. Moreover, smartphone ownership significantly influences students' nomophobia behavior in both Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

The purpose of the study was to examine and compare the foreign language anxiety (FLA) levels of English preparatory school students in two settings namely online and in person classroom lessons. An explanatory mixed-method research design was adopted to accomplish the aim. Two questionnaires were used in the first part to collect quantitative data, and the sample cohort consisted of 234 students from six Turkish state universities. The quantitative data were examined through descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings showed that moderate levels of FLA were present in both online and in person classroom instruction among participants. It was discovered that the FLA levels in two settings differed in a statistically significant way. In consonance with quantitative results, semi-structured interviews with 10 volunteers were done to collect further data. Thematic analysis was used to resolve the qualitative data from the interviews, and as a result, four key themes -- interaction, anxiety, problems, and language points -- emerged. Students preferred classroom settings for interaction since they could interact in person classroom lessons. Additionally, it was shown that technical issues such as disconnections and speech interruptions caused distress in language learners.

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on everyone's lives. To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, people were ordered to stay at home, whether or not they were infected. Due to psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression, these lockdowns had major consequences to one's mental health. The study aimed to assess the level of anxiety and examine the factors that cause it among graduate students. The study employed a mixed method following an embedded design. Data were collected through an online survey administered to 116 graduate students of the College of Public Affairs and Development at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. Using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), the study found that almost three-fourths of the graduate students had anxiety. Unstable internet connection, online academic requirements, and learning loss were among the major factors that contribute to their anxiety. Accordingly, policies and interventions should be crafted to ensure that graduate students thrive in this "new normal" of teaching and learning.

This SoTL study aimed to discover how teacher education students engaged with a 30-minute unstructured break during a weekly three-hour lecture. Cognitive fatigue and resulting stress accumulation have negative effects on wellness. Education students can accumulate significant stress when studying and preparing. This, in turn, affects their career outlook and may affect teacher retention. Pausing a cognitively demanding task and taking a break can reverse the strain reaction and support sustainable, long-term wellness. However, taking an effective break is often difficult because it can be perceived as a waste of time and a loss of productivity. Research shows the opposite effect. If we educate higher education students about the benefits of taking effective breaks and then model this practice in class, can we promote an accessible and realistic stress management strategy? Can student teachers potentially take this strategy with them into their teaching careers and classrooms? Using pre- and post-surveys as well as "Weekly Break Logs" during class (N = 70), followed by a post-course focus group (n = 4), the study found that 100% of participants post-course valued the break. They spent it socializing or going for short walks and did not spend it on their devices. The majority felt refreshed and motivated to return to learning following the break. Focus group findings revealed the value of taking breaks, and participants were motivated to continue this practice in their professional lives.

A large body of evidence shows that many ungrading practices are as good or better than conventional approaches at supporting learning outcomes. Much of the research on student perceptions of ungrading, however, is based on individual case studies which, although informative, are often anecdotal, not systematically implemented, and tend to emphasize the instructor's perspectives. Building on this literature, we offer a systematic study that asks: how do students perceive pedagogical practices designed by instructors to support an ungrading strategy? To answer this question, we conducted a survey of students across a range of disciplines and a variety of ungrading approaches to assess how they perceive their learning experiences in these courses as compared to others. Findings indicate that students generally perceive that ungrading practices improve their relationship with their instructor; enhance their engagement, agency, enjoyment, and interest; foster their intrinsic motivation and focus on learning; and facilitate their creativity. While many students reported reduced stress, others reported that the unfamiliarity and uncertainty of ungrading increased their stress. Gaining a better understanding of how students react to these pedagogical techniques can help instructors improve their practices.

This study investigated the relationship between students' online learning anxiety (OLA) and academic self-efficacy (ASE) amid global challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis. Participants in this quantitative research included 718 tertiary education students from 28 countries who responded to a standardized questionnaire. Despite the crisis' widespread negative impact, the adoption of innovative online teaching models created positive learning environments that significantly enhanced students' self-efficacy. The results of this research revealed a positive correlation between ASE and OLA, contrary to Bandura's social-cognitive theory. This unexpected relationship challenged the notion that anxiety arises directly from low self-efficacy beliefs. The findings also partially aligned with existing research on positive correlations between online learning and anxiety, as well as between sociodemographic factors and OLA. This study contributes to the plethora of research conducted about online learning, anxiety, and self-efficacy in times of crisis.

Information Professionals are avid users of data points to inform their practices, but have we flattened the data to such an extent that we have lost the emotional side of research that students experience? In this article, we will discuss our findings regarding student emotions and information beliefs and share ways in which this data can give depth to our practices. In this qualitative study, we used twenty interviews conducted in 2019 to uncover student information beliefs. Through exploratory data analysis we discovered students expressing a variety of emotions beyond anxiety, not all of which were negative. It is only when we examine student perceptions that we reveal the emotionally fraught process of research. Recommendations based on our findings fall into three categories: encouraging information professionals to find paths to removing access barriers, find ways to move into faculty development, and acknowledging the aspects of research that can make it hard but rewarding for students. Our findings and recommendations focus on how to establish practices that allow students to use their persistence in ways that enhance their learning rather than using cognitive energy on the intricacies of a library specific task.

The study aims to assess the role of linguistic and non-linguistic barriers on the English-speaking abilities of Saudi EFL learners. A cross-sectional design was adopted and convenience sampling was employed to recruit the EFL learners in Saudi Universities. An online survey was conducted. Descriptive statistics, ttests, and factor analysis were performed. The results of the study showed that non-linguistic barriers, affecting English-speaking capabilities included fear of making mistakes, shyness, anxiety, confidence, and a lack of interest. Where the most significant factor was confidence in to impact of English speaking. Moreover, among linguistic barriers i.e., grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, vocabulary was the most significant factor to influence the English-speaking ability of the Saudi EFL students. However, no gender-wise discrepancies were found in experiencing these barriers. The study concluded that there was no significant difference between male and female learners. Both genders faced linguistic and nonlinguistic barriers. However, pronunciation errors, a lack of vocabulary, and poor knowledge about grammatical structure were the linguistic barriers, faced by the students.

Critical thinking and anxiety influenced the translation competence of translators. This study sought to examine the interactions between critical thinking, attitude, and anxiety influenced the translation competence of translators. This study adopted an empirical approach to collect data from 145 student translators from many colleges in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Data were analyzed by using structural equation modelling to find out the relationship between the study factors. The results indicated that there was a negative relationship between AI anxiety with critical thinking and attitude. However, there was a strong positive relationship between attitude with critical thinking, and Machine Translation anxiety. Also, there was a positive relationship between Machine Translation anxiety with AI anxiety and critical thinking.

The present study, based on a cross-lagged panel design, was to examine the directionality of the relationships between anxiety, self-efficacy, and motivation in the context of online English learning. A total of 420 university students in China completed self-efficacy belief, motivation, and anxiety measures twice, eight months apart. The findings suggest that self-efficacy belief mediates the relationship between motivation and anxiety in online English learning, whereas anxiety mediates the relationship between self-efficacy belief and students' motivation. The mediation models based on two times of data collection achieved a satisfactory fit. However, the second model demonstrated a better model fit, highlighting the importance of anxiety in the relationship between motivation and self-efficacy beliefs. Understanding the causes and effects of anxiety for students may lead to training and resource development that are important to maintaining students' self-efficacy belief and motivation in online English learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education institutions to provide education online. Yet, little is known about students' and teachers' experiences of the shift in pedagogical modality in low-resource contexts. This study explored undergraduate students' and teachers' experiences of online education during the pandemic in Kenya and Nepal. Semi-structured interviews with students (n = 24) and teachers (n = 8) suggest that the pandemic further exacerbated existing inequalities. Furthermore, it affected the mental wellbeing of students; almost all reported heightened anxiety associated with their career prospects and learning. However, the findings also suggest that the pandemic created a conducive atmosphere to enhance digital literacy, and to foster peer support practices. Pedagogical implications of the study are highlighted in the context of promoting equity in future learning environments.

The current study investigated the hypothesis that implementing a mindfulness intervention could significantly alleviate anxiety caused by a deficit in reading comprehension, as well as improve trait mindfulness and efficacy. Students with reading difficulties enrolled in a corrective reading intervention program served as participants. All participants took pre-assessments to measure level of reading anxiety, efficacy, trait mindfulness, and reading comprehension. They were then randomly divided into two groups--experimental and control. The experimental group practiced a mindfulness meditation intervention adapted from Eline Snel's (2013) Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents). The control group participated in a control task, Reading the Room. Following treatment, pre- and post-treatment assessments were taken to measure any changes in level of reading anxiety, efficacy, and trait mindfulness. Results suggest that mindfulness meditation may have led to a decrease in reading anxiety.

The objective of this research is to study if the use of the calculator decreases students' anxiety in the subject of differential and integral calculus. Specifically, the research is carried out with 30 engineering students. Auzmendi anxiety factor questions are used to measure anxiety. The study is carried out in two moments; in the first the calculator is not used and in the second if they use it. In the second case, the calculator is used in problems involving the application of derivatives and integrals. The results indicate that the students reduce their anxiety when they use the calculator. Thus, in seven of the nine questions, students who use the calculator obtain a higher mean, it helps to reduce anxiety. In general, t-student test indicates that the moment students use the calculator they have less anxiety, and it helps to reduce errors in the mathematical process. Teachers should consider the calculator as a resource that motivates the student and helps reduce anxiety. In addition, the use of the calculator helps to reduce mathematical errors in basic operations and in the application of derivatives and integrals.

Speaking English in a face-to-face classroom versus an online classroom may make EFL students feel uneasy in different ways, depending on a variety of factors. To help students reduce anxiety, teachers must understand the different levels of anxiety they experience in different situations. This study investigated the differences in English-speaking anxiety between face-to-face and an online classroom for Thai students, and used questionnaires and structured interviews to identify the factors that may contribute to the anxiety of different students. The questionnaire was completed by 26 first-year undergraduates from a Thai public university who had both face-to-face and online classroom experience in order to compare anxiety levels in the two learning environments. Seven students were then interviewed in order to determine the factors that may have contributed to these differences. The data from the questionnaire were presented as mean scores and standard deviation (SD) in order to compare the differences in students' anxiety between on-site and online classrooms, whereas the data from the interviews were used to explain the factors that could cause these differences. The results of the questionnaire revealed that, with the exception of confidence, students' speaking anxiety in face-to-face classrooms is greater in every respect than in online classrooms. In the meantime, the results of the interviews revealed that nervousness, a limited vocabulary, and an inability to remember vocabulary could be significant contributors to anxiety differences. The discussion explained how each aspect and factor makes speaking anxiety in on-site classrooms greater than in online classrooms, and suggested and encouraged teachers to reduce students' anxiety in both types of classrooms. Teachers can improve the language learning outcomes of their students by creating a less stressful environment in the English classroom and by incorporating activities that motivate or engage students to practice speaking.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the education sector worldwide, and on undergraduate students in particular. This Scoping Review seeks to unearth research examining the psychosocial impact of the pandemic on undergraduate students in the regions of North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Additionally, this review explores students' coping mechanisms as a means to guide researchers in conducting informed investigations and to allow institutions in making meaningful decisions to combat the effects of the pandemic and future disruptions. Despite the wealth of research on COVID-19, findings from this review show a notable scarcity of literature specifically focused on undergraduate students. Findings reveal a consensus among studies regarding increased stress, anxiety, and depression among undergraduate students. Coping strategies employed by students highlight possible challenges such as overuse of social media and substance use, but they also shed light on potential interventions including physical activities, emotional strategies, and social supports. Future research should focus on filling the gaps in the existing literature and assessing the efficacy of targeted interventions. By gaining a deeper understanding of undergraduate student experiences and identifying effective support mechanisms, we can enhance the overall well-being and academic success of students.

Self-regulation is increasingly needed in education. This article aims to identify (what is) the core of the concept of self-regulated learning (SRL) and to analyse how SRL is used in different contexts. We studied 108 scientific articles published in scientific journals in the period 2016-2020. The keywords to search in the Scopus database were self-regulated learning, higher education and student. SRL deals with the process whereby learners actively take charge of their learning. The researchers share the view that SRL is linked to academic success and that the development from being students to self-regulating professionals does not occur spontaneously. We found that SRL has been studied in six contexts: 1) discussion on contextual change in teaching and learning, 2) the context of e-learning, 3) the development of training in various disciplines, 4) discussion on learning disabilities and anxiety, 5) discussion on personal traits, competencies and different backgrounds and 6) theoretical contexts.

This study examines the interplay between academic anxiety, emotional intelligence management, and academic resilience in Chinese international postgraduate students in Thailand. Using a correlational design and a sample of 353 valid participants, the study employed the Weighted Emotional Intelligence Scale (WEIS), Academic Anxiety Scale (AAS), and Academic Resilience Scale-30 (ARS). Contrary to expectations, the analysis revealed no significant differences in academic anxiety, emotional intelligence management, or academic resilience across demographic cohorts (gender, academic major, and occupation). Weak and non-significant correlations were also observed between academic anxiety, emotional intelligence management, and academic resilience. These findings challenge assumptions about demographic influences on these constructs and suggest a broader challenge for international students. Despite the prevalence of academic anxiety and deficiencies in emotional intelligence management and resilience, these constructs were not influenced by demographic factors. The study highlights the importance of holistic educational approaches that prioritize cultural and contextual factors and underscores the need for further research to unravel the complex dynamics of academic anxiety, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

We examined academic advisors' clinically significant symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), including whether there are statistically significant relationships between advisors' demographic characteristics, work-related variables, institutional variables, burnout, resilience, and risk of clinically significant MDD/GAD symptoms. We analyzed survey data of academic advisors collected from February to March 2023 (n = 777) and found that 16.9% of advisors met the criteria for MDD while 29.6% met the criteria for GAD, rates higher than national averages. While there were some demographic differences, advisors who experienced higher rates of burnout had increased odds of experiencing MDD and GAD symptoms. In addition, advisors' resilience was associated with decreased odds of experiencing MDD and GAD symptoms.

Being recognized as one of the President's Lister (PL) in an academic institution reflects one specific student's dedication, intelligence, and hard work. Therefore, this research investigated and revealed the real-life experiences of students who achieved President's List status as they endeavored to maintain consistency amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. This phenomenological research comprised 10 participants, evenly distributed between in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD). These individuals were exclusively selected from Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences, and Technology, all of whom were consistent President's List (PL) students enrolled in the Institute of Teacher Education (ITEd), specifically third-year and fourth-year students. The collected data underwent analysis through coding and thematic analysis. The findings of the study delineated varied experiences, coping mechanisms, strategies, and perspectives of the chosen PL students regarding their pursuit of consistency amidst the pandemic. Lastly, the findings and results of the study are deemed essential and beneficial to the field of education, especially in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), as this may serve as their basis for crafting guidelines and policies like special scholarships to these honour students in support to their consistency with their academic pursuit. The results could also provide valuable insights to the Commission on Higher Education for formulating a memorandum and updating the Program Standard and Guidelines, particularly in implementing a flexible learning approach while taking into account the preparedness of both students and educators.

Teaching Biology in an innovative way has always posed challenges due to its complex terminology and abstract concepts. This study explored the effects of reality pedagogy as an alternative instructional strategy on learner motivation and academic performance in learning biology at the ninth-grade level. To achieve this, a quasi-experimental research design was employed, including a pre-test/post-test assessment, biology learning motivation questionnaires, semistructured interviews, and classroom observations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed that the implementation of reality pedagogy had a positive influence on learner motivation in learning biology. Additionally, a significant correlation was identified and observed between motivation levels and academic achievement in the subject. The implications of these findings, as well as recommendations, are also discussed in the study.

Background: The conceptual framework for "School as a Protective Factor" approach was presented in a companion article in this issue of the journal. The current article describes the validation of the "School as a Protective Factor-Brief (SPF-Brief)," a 13-item survey measuring the 3 core constructs and 13 defining characteristics of this framework. Methods: The "SPF-Brief" was validated through 2 studies. The developmental study used a longitudinal design including 1349 participants who completed surveys over 5 semesters, while the validation study used a cross-sectional design with 2775 participants. Both studies included middle and high school students. Factor analysis, growth model analysis, criterion-related validation, and outcome analysis were employed. Results: Analyses provided strong evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the instrument and conceptual framework. Higher "SPF-Brief" scores were associated with higher math grades, English grades, and quality of life, as well as lower rates of anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, alcohol, e-cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis use. Effect size estimates ranged from moderate to strong. Conclusions: These findings suggest the utility of the "SPF-Brief" instrument and the "School as a Protective Factor" framework. Together, they may offer advantages to the traditional school climate approach.

Living with a chronic health condition in the home can have a debilitating effect on the psychosocial and psychoaffective wellbeing of the entire family. This is particularly the case for healthy school aged siblings. This research investigated the perceptions and experiences of at-school support for well-siblings to evaluate its effectiveness in mitigating and minimising the at-home illness-related stress effect. Seven siblings (both primary and secondary age) whose brothers had received treatment for a chronic illness (e.g. cancer) were interviewed, as were their mothers, six schoolteachers, and two principals. Responses were analysed thematically, and the findings revealed that the chronic illness of a sibling bears strongly on how well-siblings feel about themselves: their very identity is challenged; and they lose their sense of belonging, worth, and self. Findings identified that inconsistencies in at-school support are linked with a lack of an overarching mandate for support, emphasising the need for urgent remediation in policy development and process reform.

In the present study, we sought to examine whether face recognition problems impact the social anxiety experienced by autistic people. Many autistic people -- perhaps between 15% and 30% -- exhibit severe face recognition problems that closely resemble developmental prosopagnosia. At present, however, little is known about the psychosocial consequences of these difficulties. Autistic participants (N = 60) with varying degrees of face recognition ability completed two measures of face recognition (the original and Australian variants of the Cambridge Face Memory test), a measure of social anxiety (the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale) and a bespoke survey that enquired about individuals' experiences of face recognition and social interaction. Relative to autistic individuals with average or above-average face recognition, autistic individuals with poor face recognition described significantly higher levels of social anxiety. Moreover, more than half our participants felt that poor face recognition hampered their social interaction, while more than a third thought that poor face recognition had undermined their efforts to make friends. These initial results suggest that poor face recognition may be an important determinant of social anxiety in autism.

Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, aggression, and inattention are common in autistic youth and are challenging to treat by community providers. We aim to parse the heterogeneity of autism based on dimensions of executive function and determine whether specific executive function profiles are differentially related to psychiatric symptoms. Parents of 397 well-characterized 8-14-year-old autistic children without an intellectual disability reported on their child's executive function skills and psychiatric symptoms. We applied a data-driven, graph theory-based, community-detection approach to a common executive function measure, revealing three distinct executive function profile subgroups. Despite having similar social challenges, the executive function subgroups differed on anxiety, aggression, affect, and inattention symptoms. Results support the need for more intensive subtyping with autistic youth to develop appropriate, individualized mental health treatments and supports. Characterizing youth through neurocognitive strengths and challenges can guide the development of precision medicine, allowing for more meaningful, specialized treatment.