Factors Related to Mathematics Anxiety among Senior High School Students in Basic and Pre-Calculus: A Descriptive CROSS-Sectional Psychological study

Abstract

Mathematics anxiety is a pervasive and often debilitating phenomenon that can hinder students’ learning and achievement in mathematics. It is particularly prevalent among senior high school students, who face the challenging subjects of basic and pre-calculus. Consequently, this study assessed the factors contributing to mathematics anxiety among senior high school students. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed in the study because it described the detailed information of component indicators of mathematics anxiety of students at a single point in time. Thirty-six (36) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students were officially enrolled in a laboratory school in Tacloban City, Philippines, for the school year 2022–2023. Of these, 28 served as respondents, with a response rate of 77.78%. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, mode, and t-test. Results revealed that the majority of students have moderate anxiety in mathematics. In addition, taking examinations and giving surprise quizzes in mathematics have contributed to high anxiety among them. Moreover, lack of self-confidence and pressured quizzes and tests are the prevalent factors that cause students’ math anxiety. It was also found that there is no significant difference in mathematics anxiety levels between male (M=3.32, SD=.48) and female (M=3.06, SD=.48) STEM students, t(26)=1.4, p=.16