The STABS, a measure of test anxiety for behavior therapy: Normative data

The Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale (STABS) was devised and data gathered to provide an anxiety scale with the aforementioned characteristics, particularly desirable for research studies reporting on improvements in clients by different treatment innovations where a control group is lacking.

Abstract

Since the demonstrated applicability of behavior therapy to the treatment of anxieties, attention has been increasingly devoted to measuring and treating specific forms of anxiety. Test anxiety involves feelings of tension which interfere with learning and academic performance. Those afflicted often find the anxiety to be an obstacle to higher mental processes. In severe cases, a sensation of physical nausea may occur. Recent studies (Emery and Krumboltz, 1967; Katahn, Strenger and Cherry, 1966; Paul, 1964; Suinn, 1968a) have shown that Wolpe's (1958) desensitization method is particularly suitable for the treatment of test anxiety. By this method, the client is taught relaxation responses. The anxiety hierarchy is then developed, involving the identification and ranking of those situations which arouse anxiety in the client. The treatment plan then includes visualizing these situations while in a relaxed state. A survey of the literature makes it evident that behavior therapy treatment or research would be enhanced if a measure were available: (1) which could serve either as a diagnostic tool, or as an aid for the development of the anxiety hierarchy, (2) which had normative data reported, and (3) which had data showing the change in scores which would occur without treatment. The last named characteristic is particularly desirable for research studies reporting on improvements in clients by different treatment innovations where a control group is lacking. It is also valuable in individual clinic cases to enable the therapist to assess the rate of progress of specific clients in therapy. The Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale (STABS) was devised and data gathered to provide an anxiety scale with the aforementioned characteristics.