Witnessing Domestic Violence and Adolescent Test Anxiety: Role of Neuroticism and Maladaptive Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies

ABSTRACT

Exposure to domestic violence is a significant risk factor for adolescent mental health, yet its association with situational anxiety, particularly test anxiety, remains underexplored. This study examined the serial mediation of neuroticism and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the link between witnessing domestic violence and test anxiety. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), this study analysed data from 612 junior high school students (47.1% male, M age = 12.90 ± 0.75 years) who completed self‐report questionnaires. Additionally, network analysis was conducted to investigate interrelationships between neuroticism and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies at the item level. Results showed that witnessing domestic violence was positively associated with test anxiety, and neuroticism and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies sequentially mediated this relationship. Network analysis further revealed that ‘worthlessness’ and ‘self‐blame’ served as central bridge nodes linking the two constructs. This study identified a serial mediated mechanism connecting witnessing domestic violence to adolescent test anxiety via neuroticism and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, highlighting the importance of attending to family functioning and emotion regulation in preventive interventions.