Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between exam anxiety levels and smartphone addiction levels of secondary school students.
Method: This study was designed using the relational survey model from quantitative methods. The population of the study consists of students studying at the secondary school level in Istanbul between 2023-2024. The sample of the study consists of 417 students selected by simple random sampling method. In the study, Personal Information Form was used to evaluate demographic characteristics, ‘Westside Test Anxiety Scale’ was used to measure the level of test anxiety and ‘Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form’ was used to measure the level of smartphone addiction. The research data were analysed using SPSS 27.00 package programme.
Findings: It was determined that there was a positive, weak-medium significant relationship between test anxiety levels of secondary school students and smartphone addiction. In addition, it was determined that there was a significant relationship between test anxiety level and gender, parental attitude, school achievement, parents' attitude towards success, and duration of smartphone use. It was determined that there is a significant relationship between smartphone addiction and time alone, duration of smartphone use, school achievement, parents' attitude towards success.
Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between test anxiety and smartphone addiction in adolescent secondary school students. This indicates that there is a need for prevention studies and psychoeducation for students, teachers and parents in secondary schools for test anxiety and smartphone addiction.