First-semester math anxiety uniquely predicts lower STEM grades over four years of university, controlling for math ability, STEM course-taking, and other covariates¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q3 · i2 medium
Currency · newest study 2021 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i2 Math anxiety predicted unique variance in STEM Grades (β = −.225, d = −.524) when controlling for math ability, % STEM Courses, and covariates. → Daker 2021

Evidence¶

Daker 2021¶

Daker, R.J., Gattas, S.U., Sokolowski, H.M., Green, A.E., & Lyons, I.M. (2021). First-year students' math anxiety predicts STEM avoidance and underperformance throughout university, independently of math ability. npj Science of Learning 6:17. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00095-7

q3 · i2 · associational · r2

Second multiple regression model on the same four-year transcript data (n = 183 at intake, df = 174) predicting STEM Grades; the printed result was "β = −.225, t(174) = −3.45, p = 7E − 4, Cohen’s d = −.524", a 2.41-point reduction per 1 SD of Math Anxiety.

"we found that Math Anxiety predicted unique variance in STEM Grades ( β = −.225, t(174) = −3.45, p = 7E − 4, Cohen’s d = −.524) and that Math Ability did not"

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Academic Anxiety — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes
• Affect Regulation — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes

Related Claims¶

• Math ability fails to predict unique variance in either STEM participation or STEM achievement once math anxiety is controlled for — related
• First-semester math anxiety uniquely predicts a reduction in the proportion of STEM courses students take over four years of university, controlling for math ability and other covariates — related
• Math ability accounts for only ~12% of math anxiety–STEM associations, whereas math anxiety accounts for ~40% of math ability–STEM associations — related