Perfectionism, anxiety sensitivity, and statistics anxiety: A test of the vulnerability-stress model using a 2-wave longitudinal study

We predicted that low statistics grades, anxiety sensitivity, and trait perfectionism would be associated with increased statistics anxiety and worsened statistics attitudes. We also expected a grades by personality interaction, consistent with the vulnerability-stress model. Participants included 423 students currently taking a statistics class. We used a two-wave longitudinal design using self-reported online surveys at the beginning of term and after final grades were released. Grades were self-reported letter grades in statistics classes. Grades predicted increased statistics anxiety and worsened attitudes. Anxiety sensitivity predicted increased statistics anxiety. Self-critical perfectionism positively predicted statistics anxiety, but not attitudes. Rigid perfectionism was not significantly associated with either outcome. No interaction effects were statistically significant, failing to support the vulnerability-stress model.