The relation between math self-concept, test and math anxiety, achievement motivation and math achievement in 12 to 14-year- old typically developing adolescents

This study examines the relation between math self-concept, test and math anxiety, achievement motivation, and math achievement in typically developing 12 to 14-year-old adolescents (N = 108) from a school for secondary education in the Netherlands. Data was obtained using a math speed test, achievement motivation test, and the math experience questionnaire. A significant positive correlation was found between math self-concept and math achievement in all four math domains (measurement, relations, numbers, and scale), as well as automatized math skills. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between math anxiety and math achievement in the math domain “scale”. Math anxiety was not a mediator in the correlation between math self-concept and math achievement. There was no correlation between achievement motivation, test anxiety, and math achievement. Regression analyses indicated that math self-concept was the only variable that accounted for a significant unique proportion of variance in math scores. Together, these results suggest that stimulating positive feelings and beliefs of students in their own competence in math may lead to better math achievement