An Investigation of the Relationship between the Parents’ Math Literacy Self-Efficacy and Their Math Anxieties - Math Literacy, Self-Efficacy, and Anxiety Study

Oct 15, 2026

Mathematics anxiety is characterized by negative feelings toward mathematics and mathematical operations and is observed not only among students but also among parents. Parents’ own anxiety and limited mathematical literacy may shape how children experience distress about the subject. With PISA as a catalyst, this study investigates the relationship between parents’ mathematical literacy self-efficacy and their mathematics anxieties and considers parents’ participation in mathematics teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Mathematics Anxiety

Mathematics Literacy

Parents' Contribution to Teaching

An Investigation of the Relationship between the Parents’Math Literacy Self-Efficacy and Their Math Anxieties* Sümeyra AKKAYA1 İnönü University Kübra POLAT2 Sivas Cumhuriyet University Abstract Mathematics anxiety can be defined as negative feelings towards mathematics and mathematical operations in general. Math anxiety is seen in many students, and even in parents. In fact, parents'own anxiety regarding mathematics may lead to their children experiencing angst over the subject as well. This can be a problem considering parents are considered one of the basic components of education and have important responsibilities to guide the education process of their children. Mathematical literacy is one of the research topics that have come into prominence in recent years due to PISA. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the parents'mathematical literacy self-efficacy and mathematics anxieties. Additionally, through examining the participation of parents in mathematic teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hoped to better understand their views and methodologies. All participants in this study are parents themselves. The study is designed with an explanatory sequential design among mixed method research designs. The grade in which the students are educated does not make any difference in the self-efficacy and anxiety perceptions of the parents regarding their mathematics literacy. Also, the parents' mathematical literacy self-efficacy and anxiety levels were high. Keywords: Mathematics anxiety, self-efficacy of mathematical literacy, parents’ participation, teaching, Covid-19 DOI: 10.29329/epasr.2022.442.11 * This paper was presented as an oral presentation at the XIII. International Congress of Educational Research on 03-06 September, 2020, Hatay, Turkey. 1 Assoc. Prof. Dr. , Faculty of Education, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey, ORCID: [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9942-](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9942-)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9942-)9848 Correspondence: [sumeyra.akkaya@inonu.edu.tr](sumeyra.akkaya@inonu.edu.tr) 2 Assist. Prof. Dr. , Faculty of Education, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey, ORCID:, Email: [https://orcid.org/0000](https://orcid.org/0000)– 0001–8060–0732, [kubraapolaat@hotmail.com.tr](kubraapolaat@hotmail.com.tr) Introduction Math anxiety is seen in many students and their parents. The reason for this concern may be derived from parents' lack of mathematical literacy or their own math anxiety. That being the case, it becomes important to investigate the relationship between mathematical literacy and math anxiety. Parents have been especially active in helping their children’math lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, it is important to analyze this experience of parents who had to help their children in math lessons despite having math anxiety. In this context, the problem situation of the study is presented under the sub-headings of mathematics anxiety, mathematics literacy, and parents'contribution to teaching. Mathematics Anxiety Mathematics anxiety can be defined as negative feelings towards mathematics and mathematical operations in general. As a matter of fact, mathematics anxiety is defined as an excessively emotional or physical reaction to a negative attitude towards mathematics (Nolting, 2012) . Mathematics anxiety; is classified into three categories as mathematics test anxiety, numerical anxiety and abstraction anxiety (Nolting, 2012) . There are many studies in the literature on children's mathematics anxiety (Cakir, 2015; Konca, 2008; Yildirim, 2017) . The fact that such a wide array of studies have been conducted on the topic of math anxiety verifies the severity of the problem in students. Through examination of the different variables of math anxiety in Turkey, anxiety levels of teachers and students of mathematics, causes of math anxiety, math anxiety levels and studies about scale development, and

FAQs

What does mathematics anxiety mean in this study?

Mathematics anxiety refers to negative feelings toward mathematics and mathematical operations, described as an excessively emotional or physical reaction to a negative attitude toward mathematics.

Why focus on parents in relation to students’ mathematics anxiety?

Parents are considered key components of education, and their own math anxiety or limited mathematical literacy may lead children to develop similar anxiety.

What is the main purpose of the study?

To determine the relationship between parents’ mathematical literacy self-efficacy and their mathematics anxieties, with additional attention to parents’ participation in mathematics teaching during COVID-19.

Oct 15, 2026

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