The relationship between personality traits and test anxiety in adolescents: The mediating role of academic hardiness

Recent evidence suggests that test anxiety is widespread among adolescents and associated with adverse academic and psychological outcomes. While the relationship between personality traits and test anxiety is documented, limited research has examined the underlying resilience mechanisms. This cross-sectional study evaluated academic hardiness as a statistical mediator between HEXACO personality traits and test anxiety. A convenience sample of 530 adolescents aged 12–18 years (61.3% female) completed the HEXACO-PI-R, Revised Academic Hardiness Scale, and Multidimensional Test Anxiety Scale. Structural equation modeling with robust maximum likelihood estimation revealed that Emotionality was indirectly and positively associated with test anxiety (β=.215), whereas Extraversion was indirectly and negatively associated (β=−.214). Control and commitment components served as statistical mediators, with control acting as the primary protective factor. The final model accounted for 34.2% of the variance in test anxiety (R2=.342). Findings highlight perceived control as a key mechanism and provide tentative implications for school-based interventions in high-stakes educational settings.