A Correlational-Comparative Study of Grades 6 To 8 Students’ Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Mathematics Anxiety According to Their Gender and Grade Level at PanAsia International School, Bangkok

Authors

  • Murat Mendi Assumption University
  • Suwattana Eamoraphan

Keywords:

Mathematics Self-Efficacy, Mathematics Anxiety, Gender, Grade level, Pan-Asia International School

Abstract

This study was designed to identify middle school students’ mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics anxiety levels at the Pan-Asia International School (PAIS) in Thailand and to determine if there was a significant difference among students’ mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics anxiety levels according to their gender and the grade level, and further aimed out to find out if any statistically significant relationship between their mathematics self-efficacy and the mathematics anxiety exists. The study focused on ninety-four Grade 6-8 students at PAIS in the academic year 2017-2018. The researcher used the Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Questionnaire (MSEAQ) to identify their levels of mathematics self-efficacy and anxiety and data organized according to gender and grade levels of students. The data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed descriptively as frequency tables, mean and standard deviations and inferentially by independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA test, and the method of Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient. The results of this study showed that the level of students’ mathematics self-efficacy and anxiety were moderate and there was no significant difference neither between the genders nor among their grade levels. In terms of the association between mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics anxiety, the current study revealed a significant and a strong negative relationship based on the Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient at the .05 level.

Author Biography

Suwattana Eamoraphan

Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dean, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Assumption University, Thailand. 

References

Altman, J. H. (1997). The relative contribution of antecedent sources to math self-efficacy - ProQuest. Retrieved April 5, 2018, from https://search.proquest.com/docview/304352966/9A5AB61776564B68PQ/1?accountid=8401

Altounji, M. M. (2016). Reading Apprenticeship’s Relationship to Student Success in Community College Developmental Math Courses (Ed.D., California Lutheran University). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/1810435048/abstract/F89FFE489BF04AE6PQ/6

Alyamani, M. (2017). An Exploration of Math Anxiety in Saudi Arabia (Ph.D., Howard University). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/1927614505/abstract/F89FFE489BF04AE6PQ/7

Amory, D. (2013). How to Influence Persuade and Motivate | Persuasion | Negotiation. Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/document/202338740/How-to-Influence-Persuade-and-Motivate

Ashcraft, M. H. (2002). Math Anxiety: Personal, Educational, and Cognitive Consequences. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(5), 181–185. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.00196

Bandura, A. (1977). Bandura A. Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychol Rev. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191.

Bandura, A. (1978). The Self-System in Reciprocal Determinism. 33(4), 344–358.

Bandura, A. (1986). The Social Foundations of Thought and Action. In The Health Psychology Reader. London, UK: Sage Publications Ltd.

Bandura, A. (1993). Bandura 1993 Perceived Self-efficacy in Cognitive Developmnent functioning.pdf. Educational Psychologist, 28(2), 117–148.

Bandura, A. (1994). Self-Efficacy. In V. S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (Vol. 4, pp. 71–81). Retrieved from https://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/Bandura/Bandura1994EHB.pdf

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. Retrieved May 13, 2018, from http://samples.jbpub.com/9781449689742/Chapter2.pdf

Bandura, A. (1999). Social Cognitive Theory: An Agentic Perspective. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 2, 21–41.

Bandura, A. (2012). On the Functional Properties of Perceived Self-Efficacy Revisited. Journal of Management, 38(1), 9–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206311410606

Barker, B. O. (1986). The Advantages of Small Schools. ERIC Digests.

Bonham, B. S., bonhambs@appstate. ed., & Boylan, H. R. . (2012). Developmental Mathematics: Challenges, Promising Practices, and Recent Initiatives. Journal of Developmental Education, 36(2), 14–21.

Chen, P., & Zimmerman, B. (2007). A Cross-National Comparison Study on the Accuracy of Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Middle-School Mathematics Students. The Journal of Experimental Education, 75(3), 221–244. https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.75.3.221-244

Collins, J. L. (1985). Self-Efficacy and Ability in Achievement Behavior (motivation) (Ph.D., Stanford University). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/303396520/abstract/E6EEFD8776A54E87PQ/1

Cooper, S. E., & Robinson, D. A. G. (1991). The Relationship of Mathematics Self-Efficacy Beliefs to Mathematics Anxiety and Performance. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 24(1), 4–11.

DeThomas, E. M. (2017). An Exploration Into the Potential Career Effects From Middle and High School Mathematics Experiences: A Mixed Methods Investigation Into STEM Career Choice (Ed.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/1973128606/abstract/F89FFE489BF04AE6PQ/4

Feingold, A. (1988). Cognitive gender differences are disappearing. American Psychologist, 43, 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.43.2.95

Hannula, M. S. (2006). Motivation in Mathematics: Goals Reflected in Emotions. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 63(2), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-005-9019-8

Hembree, R. (1990). The nature, effects, and relief of mathematics anxiety. Meta-Analysis of Research, 21, 33–46. https://doi.org/10.2307/749455

International OCD Foundation. (2019). Anxiety Signs and Symptoms. Retrieved March 28, 2019, from Anxiety In The Classroom website: https://anxietyintheclassroom.org/school-system/i-want-to-learn-more/anxiety-and-ocd-symptoms/

Jahanian, R., & Poornaghi, Z. (2012). The Relationship Between State-Trait Anxiety and Students’ Sense of Social Self-Efficacy. IDOSI Publications, 20(3), 395–400. https://doi.org/10.5829/idosi.wasj.2012.20.03.1275

Loo, C. W., & Choy, J. L. F. (2017). Sources of Self-Efficacy Influencing Academic Performance of Engineering Students. American Journal of Educational Research, American Journal of Educational Research, 1(3), 86–92. https://doi.org/10.12691/education-1-3-4

Lopez, F. G., & Lent, R. W. (1992). Sources of Mathematics Self-Efficacy in High School Students. The Career Development Quarterly, 41(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.1992.tb00350.x

Lund Research Ltd. (2013). Pearson Product-Moment Correlation. Retrieved May 5, 2019, from https://statistics.laerd.com/statistical-guides/pearson-correlation-coefficient-statistical-guide.php

Ma, X. (1999). A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Anxiety toward Mathematics and Achievement in Mathematics. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 30(5), 520–540.

May, D. K. (2009). Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Questionnaire. 93.

McLeod, S. (2016). Bandura - social learning theory. Retrieved September 19, 2017, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive.html

Pajares, F. (2002a). Overview of social cognitive theory and of self-efficacy. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from http://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/Pajares/eff.html

Pajares, F. (2002b). Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Academic Contexts: An Outline. Retrieved February 11, 2018, from https://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/Pajares/efftalk.html

Pajares, F., & Graham, L. (1999). Self-Efficacy, Motivation Constructs, and Mathematics Performance of Entering Middle School Students. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 24(2), 124–139. https://doi.org/10.1006/ceps.1998.0991

Parsons, B. S. (2016). A Comparative Study of Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Levels of Grades 10-12 Students at Thai Christian School Before and After Supplemental Practice Use of the Mathematics E-Learning Application Website Khan Academy. Assumption University, Thailand Bangkok.

Parsons, B. S., & Gonzalez, O. R. G. (2018). A Comparative Study of Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Levels of Grades 10-12 Students at Thai Christian School Before and After Supplemental Practice Use of The Mathematics E-Learning Application Website Khan Academy. Scholar: Human Sciences, 10(2), 207.

Sarfo, J. O., & Adusei, H. (2016). Math Anxiety and Achievement among Male Senior High Students in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Africa: History and Culture, 2, 33–37. https://doi.org/10.13187/ahc.2016.2.33

Spaniol, S. R. (2017). Students’ Mathematics Self-Efficacy, Anxiety, and Course Level at a Community College (Ed.D., Walden University). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/1904509452/abstract/5A44008EE9494B72PQ/1

Spielberger, C. D. (1983). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI-AD) - Assessments, Tests | Mind Garden - Mind Garden. Retrieved March 17, 2019, from https://www.mindgarden.com/145-state-trait-anxiety-inventory-for-adults

Tiscione, N. J. D. (1974). A Test of Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Theory. (Ph.D., Hofstra University). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/302662938/citation/FA9B3BC190CA4CC4PQ/3

Wheeler, S. (2017, November 22). Bridging Behaviorism & Cognitivism: Bandura’s 4 Principles of Social Learning Theory. Retrieved May 13, 2018, from https://www.teachthought.com/learning/principles-of-social-learning-theory/

Wigfield, A., & Meece, J. (1988). Math anxiety in elementary and secondary school students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 80(2), 210–216.

Downloads

Published

2021-04-29

How to Cite

Mendi, M., & Eamoraphan, S. (2021). A Correlational-Comparative Study of Grades 6 To 8 Students’ Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Mathematics Anxiety According to Their Gender and Grade Level at PanAsia International School, Bangkok. Scholar: Human Sciences, 12(2), 195-215. Retrieved from http://www.assumptionjournal.au.edu/index.php/Scholar/article/view/4030

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 4 > >>