Prediction of High School Students’ Mathematics Anxiety by Their Achievement Motivation and Social Comparison

Abstract

As stated in the literature, there are various variables affecting mathematics anxiety. While a variable affecting students’ mathematics anxiety is their achievement motivation, another variable affecting students’ mathematics anxiety is their social comparison. This study aims to determine if achievement motivation and social comparison are significant predictors of high school students’ mathematics anxiety. The study groups were comprised of 166 9th grade students still attending a private tutoring center. In this study, a
multiple linear regression analysis was used. In multiple linear regression analysis, the relationship between the predictor variables, students’ achievement motivation, and social comparison, and the dependent variable, mathematics anxiety, were tested. It was determined that achievement motivation alone, and achievement motivation and social comparison together are significant predictors of high school students’ mathematics anxiety.