The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Math Performance: A Meta-Analytic Investigation

Math anxiety (MA) has been suggested to decrease the math performance of students. However, it remains unclear what factors moderate this relationship. The aim of this research was to explore the link between MA and math performance. Studies that explored the math anxiety-performance link, conducted...

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Main Authors: Jing Zhang, Nan Zhao, Qi Ping Kong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2019-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01613/full
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author Jing Zhang
Nan Zhao
Qi Ping Kong
author_facet Jing Zhang
Nan Zhao
Qi Ping Kong
author_sort Jing Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Math anxiety (MA) has been suggested to decrease the math performance of students. However, it remains unclear what factors moderate this relationship. The aim of this research was to explore the link between MA and math performance. Studies that explored the math anxiety-performance link, conducted from 2000 to 2019 (84 samples, N = 8680), were identified and statistically integrated with a meta-analysis method. The results indicated a robust negative math anxiety-performance link. Furthermore, regarding the analysis of moderator variables, this negative link was stronger in the studies that involved Asian students, but this link was the weakest in the studies that involved European students. Moreover, this negative link was stronger in the studies within a senior high school group, whereas it was the weakest in the studies within an elementary group. Finally, this negative link was strongest among studies that used a custom test and studies that assessed problem-solving skills. Potential explanations and implications for research and practice are discussed.
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spelling doaj.art-d902c447297a463684a51eb7b1bf3ba12022-12-22T02:02:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782019-08-011010.3389/fpsyg.2019.01613458192The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Math Performance: A Meta-Analytic InvestigationJing Zhang0Nan Zhao1Qi Ping Kong2Faculty of Education, College of Teacher Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaSchool of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaFaculty of Education, College of Teacher Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaMath anxiety (MA) has been suggested to decrease the math performance of students. However, it remains unclear what factors moderate this relationship. The aim of this research was to explore the link between MA and math performance. Studies that explored the math anxiety-performance link, conducted from 2000 to 2019 (84 samples, N = 8680), were identified and statistically integrated with a meta-analysis method. The results indicated a robust negative math anxiety-performance link. Furthermore, regarding the analysis of moderator variables, this negative link was stronger in the studies that involved Asian students, but this link was the weakest in the studies that involved European students. Moreover, this negative link was stronger in the studies within a senior high school group, whereas it was the weakest in the studies within an elementary group. Finally, this negative link was strongest among studies that used a custom test and studies that assessed problem-solving skills. Potential explanations and implications for research and practice are discussed.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01613/fullmath anxietymath performancemeta-analysisstudentsmoderator analysis
spellingShingle Jing Zhang
Nan Zhao
Qi Ping Kong
The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Math Performance: A Meta-Analytic Investigation
Frontiers in Psychology
math anxiety
math performance
meta-analysis
students
moderator analysis
title The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Math Performance: A Meta-Analytic Investigation
title_full The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Math Performance: A Meta-Analytic Investigation
title_fullStr The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Math Performance: A Meta-Analytic Investigation
title_full_unstemmed The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Math Performance: A Meta-Analytic Investigation
title_short The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Math Performance: A Meta-Analytic Investigation
title_sort relationship between math anxiety and math performance a meta analytic investigation
topic math anxiety
math performance
meta-analysis
students
moderator analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01613/full
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