The complex and reciprocal relationship between math

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the abstract and discussion and stated research gap and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 1995 and 2026, spanning 7 journals. Those papers have been cited 69 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Anxieties and Attitudes Related to Mathematics in Grades 3 and 6 (1995) · The Journal of Experimental Education · cited 69× · doi

  To address this gap in knowledge, the authors evaluated students in Grades 3 and 6 on measures of mathematics anxiety, school test anxiety, and attitudes toward mathematics to determine (a) whether different forms of mathematics anxiety exist, (b) whether mathematics test anxiety differs from school test anxiety, and (c) whether mathematics anxiety is related to different attitudes toward mathematics.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: mathematics anxiety test whether school attitudes toward different address knowledge authors evaluated students grades measures
• Revisiting Self-Regulation, Math Self-Efficacy, and Mathematics Anxiety With a Sample of University Students in the United States: A Structural Equation Model of Mathematics Anxiety (2026) · Journal for STEM Education Research · doi

  In order to increase math success rates, math anxiety needs to be alleviated and the interplay between socio-cognitive constructs and cognitive learning strategies needs to be investigated (Jain & Dowson, 2009; Pajares & Graham, 1999; Usher & Pajares, 2009; Zimmerman, 2002). (2011) also found that math anxiety could be reduced through self-regulation and self-efficacy, albeit their model was not limited to these constructs.

  generaldiscussionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: math anxiety needs cognitive constructs pajares self order increase success rates alleviated interplay socio learning
• The Impact of Mindfulness on Reducing Math Anxiety and Enhancing Mathematical Performance (2026) · Humanitarian and Natural Sciences Journal · doi

  There is a gap in the literature on the effect of mindfulness on math anxiety and mathematical performance. Prior research has focused on the general effects of mindfulness on anxiety and academic performance, but not specifically on math anxiety and mathematical performance.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there gap literature effect mindfulness math anxiety mathematical
• Students’ online course activity, together with self-efficacy and test anxiety, predicts mathematics exam results (2026) · LUMAT International Journal on Math Science and Technology Education · doi

  There is a need to understand the impact of online course activity on mathematics performance in high-stakes settings. The study addresses the gap in the literature by investigating the associations among online course activity, test anxiety, and self-efficacy with mathematics performance.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there need understand impact online course activity mathematics
• Students’ online course activity, together with self-efficacy and test anxiety, predicts mathematics exam results (2026) · LUMAT International Journal on Math Science and Technology Education · doi

  Future research could investigate the relationships among online course activity, test anxiety, and self-efficacy with mathematics performance in different contexts. Further studies could explore the impact of online course design on students' self-efficacy and test anxiety.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: future research investigate relationships among online course activity
• Maths Anxiety: Solving the Equation (2026) · Canadian Journal of Science Mathematics and Technology Education · doi

  The complex and reciprocal relationship between math anxiety and achievement is not fully understood. The role of cultural pressure and socioeconomic status in math anxiety is not fully explored. The need for a holistic approach to understanding and addressing math anxiety.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: complex reciprocal relationship between math anxiety achievement fully
• “I Know What You Think About Math, Now Tell Me What You Feel”: The Mediating Role of Emotions in the Relation Between Motivational Beliefs and Students’ Achievement (2026) · Psichologija · doi

  The study identifies a gap in the existing literature regarding the role of emotions in the relation between students' motivational beliefs about mathematics and mathematics achievement. The study seeks to address this gap by examining the mediating role of emotions in this relationship.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study identifies gap existing literature regarding role emotions
• From Numerical Perception to Mathematics Anxiety: Insights from Neuroimaging Evidence (2026) · Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası · doi

  Existing neuroimaging studies have not yet provided clear and consistent findings regarding the neural mechanisms underlying mathematics anxiety. Studies on mathematics anxiety across age groups that account for emotional and cognitive factors are limited and methodologically insufficient.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: existing neuroimaging studies have provided clear consistent findings

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