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Generalized mathematics self-efficacy and student engagement: the role of self-concept and mathematics anxiety
1Department of Health, Education and Technology, Division of Education and Languages, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
Introduction:
Mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics self-concept are well-established predictors of student engagement and performance. However, their relative contributions, alongside mathematics anxiety, are rarely examined within a single model. This study investigates how generalized mathematics self-efficacy, mathematics self-concept, and mathematics anxiety are associated with multiple dimensions of student engagement in the context of collaborative work on mathematical problems.
Methods:
Seventy-seven Swedish upper-secondary students participated in a 2-week instructional segment involving complex problem-solving, with data collected at two time points. Associations among mathematics self-beliefs, mathematics anxiety, and engagement were examined using linear mixed-effects models within both frequentist and Bayesian frameworks.
Results:
The results indicate that generalized mathematics self-efficacy shows consistent positive associations with all dimensions of engagement, whereas mathematics self-concept displays more limited and selective relations. Mathematics anxiety is primarily associated with cognitive disengagement. In addition, patterns of associations suggest that prior achievement may relate to engagement through its relation to generalized mathematics self-efficacy.
Discussion:
These findings are consistent with theoretical perspectives emphasizing the role of control-related beliefs and achievement emotions in shaping engagement. The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between different types of mathematics self-beliefs and emotional processes and demonstrates the value of examining them jointly within a single analytical framework.
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