SELF-COPING STRATEGIES AND PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES: A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY PERSPECTIVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v6i5.852Keywords:
public speaking anxiety, self-coping strategies, self-fulfilling prophecies, undergraduate studentsAbstract
Many undergraduate students experience anxiety when speaking in front of others, which often influences how they perceive themselves and their performance during public speaking. This study explores how students understand and respond to public speaking anxiety by examining their beliefs, expectations, behaviours, and perceived outcomes. It also investigates how these factors interact within the process of self-fulfilling beliefs, where expectations and thoughts shape actual performance and influence behavioural responses. A quantitative approach was employed, and data were collected from 113 undergraduate students through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. The results show significant relationships between coping behaviours and internal perceptions. Students who actively engaged in coping strategies demonstrated stronger self-belief and higher confidence when presenting. Those who reported using more techniques to manage their anxiety were also found to hold more positive expectations about their performance and expressed greater satisfaction with their outcomes. These findings further suggest that both behavioural and cognitive efforts play vital roles in managing fear and building speaking confidence. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into how self-perceptions and coping efforts influence public speaking experiences. It emphasises the importance of fostering positive thinking patterns and developing practical strategies to support students in overcoming public speaking anxiety more effectively.
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Copyright (c) 2025 NOORFARIDA FILZAH MOHD SOBRI PARIDALUDDIN, HAIDA UMIERA HASHIM, NUR ASYRANI CHE ISMAIL, HANNA INSYIRAH MOHD SUKRI, ZUR HANIS HAMIM, NOOR HANIM RAHMAT
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