The effects of perceived parental math support on middle school students’ math engagement: the serial multiple mediation of math self-efficacy and math enjoyment

This study investigated the relationships and mean-level changes of middle school students’ motivation (expectancy-related beliefs, task values, self-efficacy, and outcome expectancy) toward physical education over time, and how gender affected students’ motivation. Participants (N = 206) completed questionnaires over a 1-year period: once in the sixth and seventh grades and again in the seventh and eighth grades. Results yielded that self-efficacy and task values were positive predictors of students’ intention across cohorts. The mean levels of self-efficacy decreased over time for students in Cohort 1 (across sixth and seventh grades). However, results revealed a consistent decline in the mean levels of other motivational variables for both cohorts. No gender differences emerged for the variables. The findings are discussed in regard to the implications for educational practice, and future research areas are presented.

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Investigation of Middle School Students’ Math Self-Efficacy Perceptions and Math Problem Posing Attitudes

International Education Studies ◽

10.5539/ies.v13n11p86 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 86

Author(s):

Sena Görgün ◽

Canses Tican

Keyword(s):

Middle School ◽

Middle School Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Attitude Scale ◽

Problem Posing ◽

Attitude Score ◽

School Students ◽

Math Problem ◽

8Th Grade ◽

Eighth Grade Students

The main purpose of the current study is to investigate middle school students’ math self-efficacy perceptions and math problem posing attitudes. The sample of the study is comprised of 990 fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students attending middle school in the Fethiye district of the city of Muğla. As the data collection tool, the “Math Self-efficacy Perception Scale” and the “Math Problem Posing Attitude Scale” were used. In the analysis of the data collected through the qualitative research method, frequencies, percentages, independent-samples t-test, one-way variance analysis, post-hoc tests (Scheffe and Dunnett’s C) and correlation analysis were used. As a result, it was found that the middle school students’ math self-efficacy perceptions and math problem posing attitudes are over the medium level. The middle school students’ self-efficacy perceptions were found to be varying significantly depending on gender. The middle school students’ problem posing attitudes were found to be varying significantly depending on gender. The math self-efficacy perceptions and math problem posing attitudes of the 5th and 6th grade students were found to be significantly higher than those of the 7th and 8th grade students. A medium, positive and significant correlation was found between the middle school students’ mean math self-efficacy perception score and their mean math problem posing attitude score.

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