An Analysis of Secondary School Students’ Anxiety Levels According to Parameters of Gender, Grade Level, Socioeconomic Level and Reading Frequency

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the reading anxiety levels of secondary school students according to parameters of gender, grade level, socioeconomic level and reading frequency. The total number of participants of the study is 598 who are students in a secondary school from different grade levels. In this study, reading anxiety scale and personal information form is used. The collected data is analyzed by using independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. Just as the first result of the study, it has been found that the reading anxiety levels of secondary school students are low. No significant difference has been found between the levels of students' reading anxiety and the levels of gender and grade. However, the students' reading anxiety levels has differed significantly in favor of those with high socioeconomic level. According to the latest finding obtained from the study, the reading anxiety levels of the students has differed significantly in favor of those who have low reading frequency. Therefore, students reading less have more reading anxiety. These results obtained from the study are discussed as stated to the literature. Jalongo and Hirsh (2010) stated that anxiety, fear, and phobias constitute a major obstacle to one's reading skill. Zin and Rafik-Galea (2010) reported that the level of anxiety significantly affects the reading performance of ies.ccsenet.org International Education Studies