Mediating effects of fear of negative evaluation on perfectionism and language anxiety of Philippine L2 learners

Carmelo Carl Lim Lopez; Brandon Nacua Obenza

doi:10.46223/HCMCOUJS.soci.en.16.3.3890.2026

16(3)2026 (IN PRESS)

Mediating effects of fear of negative evaluation on perfectionism and language anxiety of Philippine L2 learners

Author - Affiliation:

Carmelo Carl Lim Lopez - Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, Davao City

Brandon Nacua Obenza - University of Mindanao, Davao City

Corresponding author: Brandon Nacua Obenza - bobenza@umindanao.edu.ph

DOI:10.46223/HCMCOUJS.soci.en.16.3.3890.2026

Submitted: 09-12-2024
Accepted: 19-01-2025
Published: 05-03-2025

Abstract

Language anxiety is one of the barriers or affective filters that thwarts the language learning of L2 learners. This study investigated the mediating effect of Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE) in the nexus between perfectionism and language anxiety among L2 learners in the Philippines. This paper employed a quantitative approach to examine the mediating role of fear of negative evaluation in the relationship between language anxiety and Perfectionism in different colleges in Mindanao, Philippines. Data were collected through Google Forms with adapted questionnaires, and stratified random sampling was used to select respondents. The measurement model was subjected to validity and reliability tests. Descriptive statistics of the constructs that form the study were presented. The proposed mediation model was explored using the standard algorithm bootstrapping of SmartPLS 4.0 in mediation analysis. The study results indicated that all the constructs were reliable and valid. Moreover, it was found that college students have moderate Perfectionism with high language anxiety and a high fear of negative evaluation. Finally, mediation analysis revealed that for college students, the fear of negative evaluation significantly and partially mediates the relationship between language anxiety and Perfectionism.

Keywords

college students; fear of negative evaluation; language anxiety; L2 learners; mediation analysis; perfectionism; Philippines

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46223/HCMCOUJS.soci.en.16.3.3890.2026