Recognizing and Managing Performance Anxiety in First-Year Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE) Students: Description, Causes and Remedies

Abstract

Describes the nature of performance anxiety that can appear in students doing their first clinical placement in Supervised Pastoral Education 1 in the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care. Explores origins of performance anxiety drawing on research, the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5, theology of Paul Tillich and supervisory experiences of authors. Examines Canadian contextual factors like COVID-19, culture and multi-faith. Offers ways students might manage anxiety with help from supervisors and peers.