The Prevalence of Anxiety and Perfectionism in High School Students

Abstract

Academic performance is a major stressor for adolescents in high school. American high schools are offering more Advanced Placement (AP) courses than in the past and there has been an increase in enrollment in AP courses (Judson & Hobson, 2015). This study examines the presence of anxiety and maladaptive perfectionism in high school students. The purpose of this research is to determine if there is a connection between course difficulty (AP vs. Regents) and, anxiety and maladaptive perfectionism. The present study surveyed 65 eleventh and twelfth grade students using a self-report questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the Screen for Childhood Anxiety Related and Emotional Disorders and the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised. The results indicated that students enrolled in AP courses had more anxiety then students enrolled in regents courses. The group of students with the highest level of anxiety was the students enrolled in two AP courses followed by students enrolled in one AP course, and students in three or more AP courses. There was not a substantial difference in maladaptive perfectionism for students in AP courses compared to students in regents courses. This study suggests that students enrolled in two AP courses are the most at risk for negative outcomes including anxiety and maladaptive perfectionism. This study was limited to a convenience sample and there were a small number of students willing to participate at the researcher’s internship state.