Math self-efficacy or anxiety? The role of emotional and motivational contribution in math performance

  • Marija Živković
  • , Sandra Pellizzoni
  • , Eleonora Doz
  • , Alessandro Cuder
  • , Irene Mammarella
  • , Maria Chiara Passolunghi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Various studies have highlighted the important influence of math ability in a numerate society. In this study, we investigated the influence of emotional (math anxiety and math enjoyment) and cognitive-motivational (math self-efficacy) factors on math performance. Participants were 145 fifth-grade students (84 boys and 61 girls). The results showed that math performance was negatively correlated with math anxiety and positively correlated with math enjoyment and math self-efficacy. Moreover, math anxiety was negatively associated with enjoyment in math and math self-efficacy, whereas math enjoyment was positively correlated with math self-efficacy. Hierarchical regression analysis showed a significant influence of math anxiety and math self-efficacy on math performance in fifth-grade students. Results are discussed in terms of a new perspective in emotional and motivational factors to train in school contexts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)579-601
Number of pages23
JournalSocial Psychology of Education
Volume26
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Enjoyment
  • Math performance
  • Primary school students
  • Self-efficacy

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