AUTHOR=Reschke Tom , Lobinger Thomas , Reschke Katharina 

TITLE=The potential of an exam villa as a structural resource during prolonged exam preparation at university

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Education

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1130648

DOI=10.3389/feduc.2023.1130648

ISSN=2504-284X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Drawing on the Demand-Control Model, this study examined whether using an exam villa as a supportive learning environment provides a structural resource for law students during exam preparation. First, we hypothesized that villa students show higher decision latitude and satisfaction and less stress compared to non-villa students. Second, we expected villa use to predict stress and satisfaction over and beyond the demand-control dimensions. Third, decision latitude was tested to mediate of the relationship between villa use and both outcomes.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Our cross-sectional study included <italic>N</italic> = 205 advanced law students that gave self-reports on their stress and satisfaction, villa use, their perceived demands and decision latitude along with some control variables. All students were within a period of long-lasting exam preparation stretching over 12 to 18 months whereas <italic>n</italic> = 41 students used the villa.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Using the exam villa was associated with both less subjective stress and more satisfaction. SEMs revealed villa use to predict stress but not satisfaction over and beyond the demand-control dimensions with 73% of overall explained variance in stress and 62% of variance in satisfaction. Decision latitude mediated the relationship between villa use and both outcomes.</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>The findings support the potential of structural resources in reducing stress among students undergoing prolonged academic stress.</p></sec>