TY - JOUR
T1 - Multidimensionality in the measurement of math-specific anxiety and its relationship with mathematical performance
AU - Lukowski, Sarah L.
AU - DiTrapani, Jack
AU - Jeon, Minjeong
AU - Wang, Zhe
AU - J.Schenker, Victoria
AU - Doran, Madeline M.
AU - Hart, Sara A.
AU - Mazzocco, Michèle M.M.
AU - Willcutt, Erik G.
AU - A.Thompson, Lee
AU - Petrill, Stephen A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2019/2
Y1 - 2019/2
N2 - Traditionally, mathematical anxiety has been utilized as a unidimensional construct. However, math-specific anxiety may have distinguishable factors, and taking these factors into account may better illuminate the relationship between anxiety and mathematics performance. Drawing from the Western Reserve Reading and Math Project (N = 244 children, mean age = 12.28 years), the present study examined math-specific anxiety and mathematics problem evaluation, utilizing a structural equation modeling approach with an item-level measurement model structure. Results suggested math-specific anxiety tapped into three factors: anxiety about performing mathematical calculations, anxiety about math in classroom situations, and anxiety about math tests. Among the three math anxiety factors, only calculation anxiety was significantly and negatively related to math performance while holding other anxiety factors constant. Implications for the measurement of math-specific anxiety are discussed.
AB - Traditionally, mathematical anxiety has been utilized as a unidimensional construct. However, math-specific anxiety may have distinguishable factors, and taking these factors into account may better illuminate the relationship between anxiety and mathematics performance. Drawing from the Western Reserve Reading and Math Project (N = 244 children, mean age = 12.28 years), the present study examined math-specific anxiety and mathematics problem evaluation, utilizing a structural equation modeling approach with an item-level measurement model structure. Results suggested math-specific anxiety tapped into three factors: anxiety about performing mathematical calculations, anxiety about math in classroom situations, and anxiety about math tests. Among the three math anxiety factors, only calculation anxiety was significantly and negatively related to math performance while holding other anxiety factors constant. Implications for the measurement of math-specific anxiety are discussed.
KW - Dimensionality
KW - Math anxiety
KW - Mathematics
KW - School-aged children
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042173067&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.lindif.2016.07.007
DO - 10.1016/j.lindif.2016.07.007
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85042173067
SN - 1041-6080
VL - 70
SP - 228
EP - 235
JO - Learning and Individual Differences
JF - Learning and Individual Differences
ER -