Unveiling the potential of 360° videos: Tailored interventions for test anxiety within cognitive behavioral therapies

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of 360° video technology in reducing test anxiety. The objective is to evaluate whether 360° exposure in individual psychological counseling, aligned with Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT), is more effective than imagined exposure at reducing test anxiety. The study was conducted with a sample of 26 participants who met the research criteria. 14 participants who met the inclusion criteria were included in the 360° exposure (experimental) group, while the remaining 12 participants were placed in the imaginary exposure (control) group. Data were gathered from seven measurements (Pre-test, 360° video Before, 360° video After, Post-test, 1 month before Exam, 1 week before Exam, 1 month after Exam). The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed using the Westside Test Anxiety Scale, the State Anxiety Inventory, and the Five Factor Model Personality Scales. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and ANCOVA. According to the results of these analyses, 360° video exposure was found to be significantly more effective than imaginary exposure (F(6,144) = 105.64; p ¡ .001; 2p = 0.81). Similarly, the inclusion of covariates (neuroticism, state anxiety, and gender) in the analysis did not change. The findings suggest that 360° videos may offer a potential therapeutic tool in the treatment of test anxiety, demonstrating superiority over imaginary exposure. Nevertheless, additional research on the efficacy of 360° video is warranted, considering that the effectiveness of 360° video may differ across demographic groups and various types of 360° video and virtual reality experiences.