A meta-analysis of math anxiety interventions

Ellen Sammallahti; Jonatan Finell; Bert Jonsson; Johan Korhonen

doi:10.5964/jnc.8401

A meta-analysis of math anxiety interventions

Ellen Sammallahti, Jonatan Finell, Bert Jonsson, Johan Korhonen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

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Abstract

The experience of math anxiety can have detrimental effects on students’ math performance, and researchers have in recent years tried to design interventions aiming at reducing math anxiety. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of math anxiety interventions in reducing math anxiety and improving math performance. The meta-analysis comprised 50 studies and included 75 effect sizes. On average, the effect sizes were moderate (g = -0.467) for reducing math anxiety and improving math performance (g = 0.502). Interventions that focused on Cognitive support or regulating Emotions were effective both in reducing math anxiety and improving math performance. In addition, longer interventions and interventions targeting students older than 12 had the biggest decrease in math anxiety. Study quality was not related to intervention outcomes.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	346-362
Number of pages	17
Journal	The Journal of Numerical Cognition
Volume	9
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.8401
Publication status	Published - 31 Jul 2023
MoE publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

intervention
math anxiety
Mathematical performance
meta-analysis

Access to Document

10.5964/jnc.8401Licence: CC BY

A Meta-Analysis of Math Anxiety InterventionsFinal published version, 667 KBLicence: CC BY

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2023081194883

Choking under pressure: Linking math anxiety with math performance
Jonsson, B., Korhonen, J., Nyroos, M., Eklöf, H., Wiklund-Hörnqvist, C., De Smedt, B., Sammallahti, E. & Finell, J.
01/01/19 → 31/12/23
Project: Research Council of Finland/Other Research Councils

Cite this

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title = "A meta-analysis of math anxiety interventions",

abstract = "The experience of math anxiety can have detrimental effects on students{\textquoteright} math performance, and researchers have in recent years tried to design interventions aiming at reducing math anxiety. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of math anxiety interventions in reducing math anxiety and improving math performance. The meta-analysis comprised 50 studies and included 75 effect sizes. On average, the effect sizes were moderate (g = -0.467) for reducing math anxiety and improving math performance (g = 0.502). Interventions that focused on Cognitive support or regulating Emotions were effective both in reducing math anxiety and improving math performance. In addition, longer interventions and interventions targeting students older than 12 had the biggest decrease in math anxiety. Study quality was not related to intervention outcomes.",

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A meta-analysis of math anxiety interventions

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Choking under pressure: Linking math anxiety with math performance

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