Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam

Paraskevi Tatsiopoulou; Anastasia Alvanou; Vasiliki Holeva; Aspasia Malliora; Angeliki Vourlgaroglou; Mathildi Triglianou; Vasiliki Aliki Nikopoulou; Eleni Parlapani; Konstantinos Nikolaos Fountoulakis

doi:doi:10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam

Paraskevi Tatsiopoulou^*

, Anastasia Alvanou

, Vasiliki Holeva

, Aspasia Malliora

, Angeliki Vourlgaroglou

, Mathildi Triglianou

, Vasiliki Aliki Nikopoulou

, Eleni Parlapani

, Konstantinos Nikolaos Fountoulakis

Published in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 4)

Received: 30 June 2025 Accepted: 15 July 2025 Published: 13 August 2025

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Abstract

Introduction: There is a paucity of information on the contribution of self-compassion and self-esteem to strategies used to cope with anxiety difficulties in times of distress, such as preparing for university entrance examinations for students in Greece. This study applied tests to better understand adolescents’ views on their motivations to participate in the nationwide examinations for entrance into Greece's state universities, their coping strategies during their preparation, and their reaction to a potential failure. It was expected that students’ anxiety would be related to self-compassion and self-esteem regarding their gender. Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed methods study was based on statistical and thematic analysis conducted on data consisting of the information respondents were asked to provide regarding their studies (favorite lesson, where they like to study, orientation, and first time participation in exams) and their attitudes towards the exams. One hundred thirty-two (132) High School senior students participating in the Pan-Hellenic Examinations (81 females and 51 males) (M = 3.11, SD = 0.76), aged from 17 to 18 years old, where volunteered for the present study. Results: Most of the participants (75%) believe that they are going to succeed in the exams and showed greater test-anxiety (t = 2.580, df = 129, p =.011), but also greater self-esteem (t = 4.106, df = 129, p = .001), greater self-compassion (t = 3.013, df = 129, p =.003), greater self-kindness, (t = 2.299, df=129, p = .000), greater common humanity (t = 2.416, df = 129, p = .017), and greater mindfulness (t = 2.466, df = 129, p = .015), than participants who answered that they are not going to succeed. Those who predicted their failure showed greater self-judgment (with no statistical significance, (p>0.005), greater isolation (t = -2.713, df = 129, p =.032), and greater over-identification (t = -2.013, df = 129, p = .046) than their counterparts. Overall, male participants (M=3.4, SD= .74) exhibited higher test-anxiety scores than female participants (M=2.93, SD= .74). Conclusions: Gender differences significantly influence self-compassion and self-esteem having a vast impact on anxiety.

Published in	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13
Page(s)	123-135
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Adolescents, Test-anxiety, Self-esteem, Self-compassion, Gender

References

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Tatsiopoulou, P., Alvanou, A., Holeva, V., Malliora, A., Vourlgaroglou, A., et al. (2025). Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 14(4), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13

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ACS Style

Tatsiopoulou, P.; Alvanou, A.; Holeva, V.; Malliora, A.; Vourlgaroglou, A., et al. Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2025, 14(4), 123-135. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13

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AMA Style

Tatsiopoulou P, Alvanou A, Holeva V, Malliora A, Vourlgaroglou A, et al. Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam. Psychol Behav Sci. 2025;14(4):123-135. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13

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@article{10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13,
  author = {Paraskevi Tatsiopoulou and Anastasia Alvanou and Vasiliki Holeva and Aspasia Malliora and Angeliki Vourlgaroglou and Mathildi Triglianou and Vasiliki Aliki Nikopoulou and Eleni Parlapani and Konstantinos Nikolaos Fountoulakis},
  title = {Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam
},
  journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {4},
  pages = {123-135},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20251404.13},
  abstract = {Introduction: There is a paucity of information on the contribution of self-compassion and self-esteem to strategies used to cope with anxiety difficulties in times of distress, such as preparing for university entrance examinations for students in Greece. This study applied tests to better understand adolescents’ views on their motivations to participate in the nationwide examinations for entrance into Greece's state universities, their coping strategies during their preparation, and their reaction to a potential failure. It was expected that students’ anxiety would be related to self-compassion and self-esteem regarding their gender. Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed methods study was based on statistical and thematic analysis conducted on data consisting of the information respondents were asked to provide regarding their studies (favorite lesson, where they like to study, orientation, and first time participation in exams) and their attitudes towards the exams. One hundred thirty-two (132) High School senior students participating in the Pan-Hellenic Examinations (81 females and 51 males) (M = 3.11, SD = 0.76), aged from 17 to 18 years old, where volunteered for the present study. Results: Most of the participants (75%) believe that they are going to succeed in the exams and showed greater test-anxiety (t = 2.580, df = 129, p =.011), but also greater self-esteem (t = 4.106, df = 129, p = .001), greater self-compassion (t = 3.013, df = 129, p =.003), greater self-kindness, (t = 2.299, df=129, p = .000), greater common humanity (t = 2.416, df = 129, p = .017), and greater mindfulness (t = 2.466, df = 129, p = .015), than participants who answered that they are not going to succeed. Those who predicted their failure showed greater self-judgment (with no statistical significance, (p>0.005), greater isolation (t = -2.713, df = 129, p =.032), and greater over-identification (t = -2.013, df = 129, p = .046) than their counterparts. Overall, male participants (M=3.4, SD= .74) exhibited higher test-anxiety scores than female participants (M=2.93, SD= .74). Conclusions: Gender differences significantly influence self-compassion and self-esteem having a vast impact on anxiety.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam

AU  - Paraskevi Tatsiopoulou
AU  - Anastasia Alvanou
AU  - Vasiliki Holeva
AU  - Aspasia Malliora
AU  - Angeliki Vourlgaroglou
AU  - Mathildi Triglianou
AU  - Vasiliki Aliki Nikopoulou
AU  - Eleni Parlapani
AU  - Konstantinos Nikolaos Fountoulakis
Y1  - 2025/08/13
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13
T2  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JF  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JO  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
SP  - 123
EP  - 135
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7845
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13
AB  - Introduction: There is a paucity of information on the contribution of self-compassion and self-esteem to strategies used to cope with anxiety difficulties in times of distress, such as preparing for university entrance examinations for students in Greece. This study applied tests to better understand adolescents’ views on their motivations to participate in the nationwide examinations for entrance into Greece's state universities, their coping strategies during their preparation, and their reaction to a potential failure. It was expected that students’ anxiety would be related to self-compassion and self-esteem regarding their gender. Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed methods study was based on statistical and thematic analysis conducted on data consisting of the information respondents were asked to provide regarding their studies (favorite lesson, where they like to study, orientation, and first time participation in exams) and their attitudes towards the exams. One hundred thirty-two (132) High School senior students participating in the Pan-Hellenic Examinations (81 females and 51 males) (M = 3.11, SD = 0.76), aged from 17 to 18 years old, where volunteered for the present study. Results: Most of the participants (75%) believe that they are going to succeed in the exams and showed greater test-anxiety (t = 2.580, df = 129, p =.011), but also greater self-esteem (t = 4.106, df = 129, p = .001), greater self-compassion (t = 3.013, df = 129, p =.003), greater self-kindness, (t = 2.299, df=129, p = .000), greater common humanity (t = 2.416, df = 129, p = .017), and greater mindfulness (t = 2.466, df = 129, p = .015), than participants who answered that they are not going to succeed. Those who predicted their failure showed greater self-judgment (with no statistical significance, (p>0.005), greater isolation (t = -2.713, df = 129, p =.032), and greater over-identification (t = -2.013, df = 129, p = .046) than their counterparts. Overall, male participants (M=3.4, SD= .74) exhibited higher test-anxiety scores than female participants (M=2.93, SD= .74). Conclusions: Gender differences significantly influence self-compassion and self-esteem having a vast impact on anxiety.
VL  - 14
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Paraskevi Tatsiopoulou

3rd Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), UGHTh AHEPA, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0028-0992
Anastasia Alvanou

1st Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences AUTh, Papageorgiou GH, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-6193-8705
Vasiliki Holeva

1st Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences AUTh, Papageorgiou GH, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6402-0129
Aspasia Malliora

1st Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences AUTh, Papageorgiou GH, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-3785-5655
Angeliki Vourlgaroglou

1st Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences AUTh, Papageorgiou GH, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-9345-6721
Mathildi Triglianou

1st Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences AUTh, Papageorgiou GH, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-4421-0878
Vasiliki Aliki Nikopoulou

1st Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences AUTh, Papageorgiou GH, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8670-9592
Eleni Parlapani

1st Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences AUTh, Papageorgiou GH, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3581-2079
Konstantinos Nikolaos Fountoulakis

3rd Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), UGHTh AHEPA, Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5503-0811

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APA Style

Tatsiopoulou, P., Alvanou, A., Holeva, V., Malliora, A., Vourlgaroglou, A., et al. (2025). Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 14(4), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13

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ACS Style

Tatsiopoulou, P.; Alvanou, A.; Holeva, V.; Malliora, A.; Vourlgaroglou, A., et al. Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2025, 14(4), 123-135. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13

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AMA Style

Tatsiopoulou P, Alvanou A, Holeva V, Malliora A, Vourlgaroglou A, et al. Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam. Psychol Behav Sci. 2025;14(4):123-135. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13,
  author = {Paraskevi Tatsiopoulou and Anastasia Alvanou and Vasiliki Holeva and Aspasia Malliora and Angeliki Vourlgaroglou and Mathildi Triglianou and Vasiliki Aliki Nikopoulou and Eleni Parlapani and Konstantinos Nikolaos Fountoulakis},
  title = {Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam
},
  journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {4},
  pages = {123-135},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20251404.13},
  abstract = {Introduction: There is a paucity of information on the contribution of self-compassion and self-esteem to strategies used to cope with anxiety difficulties in times of distress, such as preparing for university entrance examinations for students in Greece. This study applied tests to better understand adolescents’ views on their motivations to participate in the nationwide examinations for entrance into Greece's state universities, their coping strategies during their preparation, and their reaction to a potential failure. It was expected that students’ anxiety would be related to self-compassion and self-esteem regarding their gender. Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed methods study was based on statistical and thematic analysis conducted on data consisting of the information respondents were asked to provide regarding their studies (favorite lesson, where they like to study, orientation, and first time participation in exams) and their attitudes towards the exams. One hundred thirty-two (132) High School senior students participating in the Pan-Hellenic Examinations (81 females and 51 males) (M = 3.11, SD = 0.76), aged from 17 to 18 years old, where volunteered for the present study. Results: Most of the participants (75%) believe that they are going to succeed in the exams and showed greater test-anxiety (t = 2.580, df = 129, p =.011), but also greater self-esteem (t = 4.106, df = 129, p = .001), greater self-compassion (t = 3.013, df = 129, p =.003), greater self-kindness, (t = 2.299, df=129, p = .000), greater common humanity (t = 2.416, df = 129, p = .017), and greater mindfulness (t = 2.466, df = 129, p = .015), than participants who answered that they are not going to succeed. Those who predicted their failure showed greater self-judgment (with no statistical significance, (p>0.005), greater isolation (t = -2.713, df = 129, p =.032), and greater over-identification (t = -2.013, df = 129, p = .046) than their counterparts. Overall, male participants (M=3.4, SD= .74) exhibited higher test-anxiety scores than female participants (M=2.93, SD= .74). Conclusions: Gender differences significantly influence self-compassion and self-esteem having a vast impact on anxiety.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Self-compassion, Self-esteem and Test-anxiety Among Students Preparing for the University Admission Exam

AU  - Paraskevi Tatsiopoulou
AU  - Anastasia Alvanou
AU  - Vasiliki Holeva
AU  - Aspasia Malliora
AU  - Angeliki Vourlgaroglou
AU  - Mathildi Triglianou
AU  - Vasiliki Aliki Nikopoulou
AU  - Eleni Parlapani
AU  - Konstantinos Nikolaos Fountoulakis
Y1  - 2025/08/13
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13
T2  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JF  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JO  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
SP  - 123
EP  - 135
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7845
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20251404.13
AB  - Introduction: There is a paucity of information on the contribution of self-compassion and self-esteem to strategies used to cope with anxiety difficulties in times of distress, such as preparing for university entrance examinations for students in Greece. This study applied tests to better understand adolescents’ views on their motivations to participate in the nationwide examinations for entrance into Greece's state universities, their coping strategies during their preparation, and their reaction to a potential failure. It was expected that students’ anxiety would be related to self-compassion and self-esteem regarding their gender. Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed methods study was based on statistical and thematic analysis conducted on data consisting of the information respondents were asked to provide regarding their studies (favorite lesson, where they like to study, orientation, and first time participation in exams) and their attitudes towards the exams. One hundred thirty-two (132) High School senior students participating in the Pan-Hellenic Examinations (81 females and 51 males) (M = 3.11, SD = 0.76), aged from 17 to 18 years old, where volunteered for the present study. Results: Most of the participants (75%) believe that they are going to succeed in the exams and showed greater test-anxiety (t = 2.580, df = 129, p =.011), but also greater self-esteem (t = 4.106, df = 129, p = .001), greater self-compassion (t = 3.013, df = 129, p =.003), greater self-kindness, (t = 2.299, df=129, p = .000), greater common humanity (t = 2.416, df = 129, p = .017), and greater mindfulness (t = 2.466, df = 129, p = .015), than participants who answered that they are not going to succeed. Those who predicted their failure showed greater self-judgment (with no statistical significance, (p>0.005), greater isolation (t = -2.713, df = 129, p =.032), and greater over-identification (t = -2.013, df = 129, p = .046) than their counterparts. Overall, male participants (M=3.4, SD= .74) exhibited higher test-anxiety scores than female participants (M=2.93, SD= .74). Conclusions: Gender differences significantly influence self-compassion and self-esteem having a vast impact on anxiety.
VL  - 14
IS  - 4
ER  -

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