The fear of public speaking in a Spanish sample of university students

The new demands of the European Higher Education Area on students have stimulated the development of stressful tasks that can generate anxiety in students, as is the case of oral presentations. Despite the numerous studies on this topic, few national studies have focused on university students after the implementation of European Credit Transfer System. The aim of this study is to find out the factors that may be linked to this phenomenon. A sample of 200 university students completed the Audience Anxiousness Scale, the Assertiveness Scale and the Inventory of Situations and Responses of Anxiety. The regression analyses showed a strong relationship between assertiveness and interpersonal anxiety, and fear of public speaking. The findings highlight the importance of social skills and behavior management as protective factors against public speaking anxiety.