The Urban Academic Stress Map: How Age, Gender, and City Influence Test Anxiety and Self-Esteem in Adolescents- A Multicentric Cross-Sectional Study Across Four Indian Cities

Abstract

Introduction: Test anxiety and low self-esteem are prevalent mental health concerns among adolescents in competitive academic environments. However, limited multicentric data exist examining these constructs jointly across Indian urban settings, age groups, and genders.

Objectives: To assess self-esteem and test anxiety levels among adolescents in four Indian cities (Pune, Mumbai, Surat, and Vadodara), and to examine their interrelationship across demographic subgroups including age, gender, and city.

Methods: A multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted by the AACCI across four cities (Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara) with a total sample of 1,128 adolescents aged 10–24 years. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and test anxiety using the Friedben Test Anxiety Scale (FTAS), which encompasses three subfactors: Social Derogation (SD), Cognitive Obstruction (CO), and Tenseness (T). Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to examine relationships between RSES and FTAS scores across the total sample and subgroups.

Discussion:

Surat adolescents had the healthiest profile, with high self-esteem and low anxiety, but Vadodara and Mumbai adolescents reported more anxiety, indicating differing scholastic expectations. Gender differences were most noticeable in correlations, with females showing a larger association between self-esteem and anxiety, indicating more emotional sensitivity. Mid-adolescence was the most vulnerable stage, with the strongest inverse correlation, although young adults showed some resilience. City-wide patterns emphasize the importance of local academic culture and family support. Overall, the findings highlight the need for age- and context-specific measures to improve adolescent emotional well-being.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.2880.202609

How to cite this article:
Bhave S Y, Kariya P, Pradeep M, Kavade S G, Shah S R, Joshi S V, Sovan A V, Pethkar K P, Bhave Y S, Kulkarni N L. The Urban. Academic Stress Map: How Age, Gender, and City Influence Test Anxiety and Self-Esteem in Adolescents- A Multicentric Cross-Sectional Study Across Four Indian Cities. Ind J Youth Adol Health. 2026;13(2):24-34.