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영어

This study is a descriptive paper addressing the relationship between test anxiety, self-esteem and the mental health levels of freshmen and third year students of Dental Hygienics. In late 2011, we received a total of 298 questionnaires from freshmen and third year Dental Hygienics students of three South Korean universities, located specifically in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The timing of this questionnaire was significant because it was one week prior to midterm examinations. The results were as follows:1. There was a statistically significant relationship between age (t=3.017, p<.001) and grade (t=2.665,p<0.05), subjective health status(t=27.513, p<.001). 2. The lower the participants' reported mental health in general, the higher their level of test anxiety (r=.565, p<.001), broken down into two subdivisions: cognitive text anxiety (r=526, p<.001) and emotional test anxiety (r=.534, p<.001). 3. When considering the factors that influence the general mental health of participants, there were age differences. For first year students, their subjeetive health status (ß=-.300,p<.001) and test anxiety (ß=.530,p<.001) were significant. For third year students, this was also true (subjective mental condition: ß=-.242,p<.001 and test anxiety: ß=.350,p<.001) but self-worth was also significant (ß=.377,p<.001). The results of this study suggest that the key factors that influence the mental health level of students Dental Hygienics are test anxiety, subjective appraisal of health level, and general self-worth. A systematic approach is therefore needed to improve students' mental health and reduce test anxiety. Health management programs which address and test students' physical health will also be important in improving student performance and welfare.