The Effect of Math Self-Concept and Self-Efficacy on the Math Achievement of Sixth-Grade Primary School Students: The Mediating Role of Math Anxiety

Abstract

The relationship between math self-concept, self-efficacy, math anxiety, and math achievement was investigated using 450 sixth-grade students in Sichuan Province, China as subjects. The results showed that: math self-concept and self-efficacy positively predicted students’ math achievement, and math anxiety negatively predicted students’ math achievement. Mathematics anxiety played a partial mediating role in the relationship between mathematics self-concept and mathematics achievement, mathematics self-efficacy, and mathematics achievement. Mathematical self-efficacy and math anxiety played a mediating chain role in the relationship between math self-concept and math achievement. To improve students' math achievement, it is necessary to pay attention to the positive significance of math self-concept and self-efficacy and reduce the adverse effects of math anxiety.