Identification of math anxiety subtypes

Conceptualizations of mathematics anxiety, as well as factors that are empirically related to it, were identified from the existing literature. These factors are test, evaluation, trait, and state anxiety, as well as gender and level of math ability. Differences in these factors were hypothesized to distinguish subtypes of highly math anxious individuals from one another. In order to determine whether subtypes exist, cluster analyses were performed on a sample of 96 highly math anxious college students. The results revealed three clusters distinguished by completion time on two versions of a math test and age. Furthermore, participants' responses on a variety of self-report questionnaires, as well as performance on a math test, were assessed under stressful versus relaxing testing conditions. Stressful testing conditions produced a decrement in math test performance, and also resulted in an increase in state anxiety level, particularly for women. The obtained results supported the existence of math anxious subtypes; they also suggested that level of anxiety can be manipulated by instructions in a math testing setting.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

1998

Author dc:creator

• Rabalais, Aline Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Daniel W. McNeil.
• Stanle H. Cohen
• Philip N. Chase

• Clinical psychology
• Educational psychology

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/836

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1839