Gender-Based Mathematics Anxiety: Strategies for Teachers to Foster Confidence and Inclusion

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25217/numerical.v9i1.6348

Abstract

This study aims to examine how teachers address students' mathematics anxiety from a gender perspective at a public high school in Mataram. Employing a qualitative approach with a case study design, this research involves in-depth interviews and document analysis. The participants include mathematics teachers and students who experience varying levels of mathematics anxiety. The research process encompasses participant selection, instrument preparation and validation, data collection through interviews regarding teachers' strategies for managing mathematics anxiety, data analysis, triangulation, and interpretation. The findings reveal that teachers implement several key strategies, including fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment, utilizing collaborative and differentiated instruction, integrating technology, and providing gender-sensitive feedback. These strategies have proven effective in reducing students' anxiety and increasing their confidence in mathematics learning. The study highlights the crucial role of teachers in mitigating mathematics anxiety and promoting equitable learning experiences. Future research could explore the impact of these strategies in different educational settings and examine additional factors influencing mathematics anxiety from a broader perspective.

References

Alexander, A. P. (2019). Lincoln and Guba's quality criteria for trustworthiness. IDC International Journal, 6(4), 1–6. Google Scholar

Asmawati, A. A., Sugeng, S., & Labulan, P. M. (2021). Pengaruh Disiplin Belajar, Kecemasan dan Perhatian Orang Tua Terhadap Hasil Belajar Matematika Siswa. Primatika : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 10(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.30872/primatika.v10i1.391

Bandura, A., Freeman, W. H., & Lightsey, R. (1999). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 13(2), 158-166. https://doi.org/10.1891/0889-8391.13.2.158

Barroso, C., Ganley, C. M., McGraw, A. L., Geer, E. A., Hart, S. A., & Daucourt, M. C. (2021). A meta-analysis of the relation between math anxiety and math achievement. Psychol Bull, 147(2), 134-168. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000307

Braas, T. (2022). Gender and Mathematics in Upper Secondary School: Sociocultural Stereotypes, Motivation, and Cognitive Activation. ETH Zurich. Google Scholar

Caviola, S., Mammarella, I. C., & Kovas, Y. (2019). Math anxiety in children with and without mathematical difficulties: the role of gender and genetic factors. In Mathematics Anxiety (pp. 141–155). Routledge. Google Scholar

Creswell, J. W. (2020). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Pearson Higher Ed.

Dewi, S., & Simamora, R. (2022). Analisis Kecemasan Siswa pada Pembelajaran Matematika Berbasis Problem Based Learning di SMP Negeri 3 Kota Jambi. Jurnal Ilmiah Dikdaya, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.33087/dikdaya.v12i2.359

Doz, D., Felda, D., & Cotič, M. (2025). Predicting Italian students’ mathematics outcomes: a decision tree regression analysis. Educational Research and Evaluation, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803611.2025.2475863

Hattie, J. (2023). Visible learning: The sequel: A synthesis of over 2,100 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Routledge.

Jayantika, I. G. A. N. T. (2020). Kecemasan matematis (math anxiety) dilihat dari perbedaan gender. In Prosiding Mahasaraswati Seminar Nasional Pendidikan Matematika. Google Scholar

Kusmartiningrum, S. A., Prayitno, A., & Baidawi, M. (2024). Memahami dan Mengatasi Kecemasan dalam Pembelajaran Matematika. Media Penelitian Pendidikan: Jurnal Penelitian Dalam Bidang Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran, 18(2), 149–159. Google Scholar

Kusumawati, R., & Nayazik, A. (2017). Kecemasan matematika siswa SMA berdasarkan gender. Journal of Medives: Journal of Mathematics Education IKIP Veteran Semarang, 1(2), 92–99. Google Scholar

Lau, N. T. T., Hawes, Z., Tremblay, P., & Ansari, D. (2022). Disentangling the individual and contextual effects of math anxiety: A global perspective. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 119(7). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2115855119

Levine, S. C., & Pantoja, N. (2021). Development of children’s math attitudes: Gender differences, key socializers, and intervention approaches. Developmental Review, 62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2021.100997

Luttenberger, S., Wimmer, S., & Paechter, M. (2018). Spotlight on math anxiety. Psychol Res Behav Manag, 11, 311-322. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S141421

Madjar, N., Zalsman, G., Weizman, A., Lev‐Ran, S., & Shoval, G. (2018). Predictors of developing mathematics anxiety among middle‐school students: A 2‐year prospective study. International Journal of Psychology, 53(6), 426–432. Google Scholar

Malanchini, M., Rimfeld, K., Wang, Z., Petrill, S. A., Tucker-Drob, E. M., Plomin, R., & Kovas, Y. (2020). Genetic factors underlie the association between anxiety, attitudes and performance in mathematics. Transl Psychiatry, 10(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-0711-3

Masruroh, A., & Nurfitriyanti, M. (2022). Pengaruh Kecemasan dan Percaya Diri Terhadap Prestasi Belajar Matematika. Diskusi Panel Nasional Pendidikan Matematika, 8. Google Scholar

Merriam, S. B., & Grenier, R. S. (2019). Qualitative research in practice: Examples for discussion and analysis. John Wiley & Sons.

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (Vol. 3rd). Sage.

Namkung, J. M., Peng, P., & Lin, X. (2019). The Relation Between Mathematics Anxiety and Mathematics Performance Among School-Aged Students: A Meta-Analysis. Review of Educational Research, 89(3), 459-496. shttps://doi.org/10.3102/0034654319843494

Nurhidayat, A., & Djidu, H. (2022). Kecemasan Matematis: Karakteristik, Dampak, Dan Solusi Mengatasinya. Jurnal Edumatic : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 3(01), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.21137/edumatic.v3i01.480

Pantoja, N., Schaeffer, M. W., Rozek, C. S., Beilock, S. L., & Levine, S. C. (2020). Children’s Math Anxiety Predicts Their Math Achievement Over and Above a Key Foundational Math Skill. Journal of Cognition and Development, 21(5), 709-728. https://doi.org/10.1080/15248372.2020.1832098

Putra, A., & Yulanda, Y. (2022). Kecemasan Matematika Siswa dan Pengaruhnya: Systematic Literature Review. Didaktika : Jurnal Kependidikan, 15(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.30863/didaktika.v15i1.1148

Quintero, M., Hasty, L., Li, T., Song, S., & Wang, Z. (2022). A multidimensional examination of math anxiety and engagement on math achievement. Br J Educ Psychol, 92(3), 955-973. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12482

Reilly, D., Neumann, D. L., & Andrews, G. (2019). Investigating gender differences in mathematics and science: Results from the 2011 Trends in Mathematics and Science Survey. Research in Science Education, 49(1), 25–50. Google Scholar

Sansone, D. (2019). Teacher characteristics, student beliefs, and the gender gap in STEM fields. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 41(2), 127–144. Google Scholar

Sinaga, J. A. (2024). Membangun Lingkungan Belajar Menyenangkan untuk Mengatasi Kecemasan Matematika dan Meningkatkan Keterlibatan Siswa Kelas I SD Sekolah XYZ Jakarta. Jurnal Syntax Admiration, 5(2), 535-547. https://doi.org/10.46799/jsa.v5i2.1039

Syafri, F. S. (2017). Ada apa dengan kecemasan matematika. Journal of Medives: Journal of Mathematics Education IKIP Veteran Semarang, 1(1), 59–65. Google Scholar

Wang, Z., Rimfeld, K., Shakeshaft, N., Schofield, K., & Malanchini, M. (2020). The longitudinal role of mathematics anxiety in mathematics development: Issues of gender differences and domain-specificity. J Adolesc, 80, 220-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.03.003

Downloads

Published

2025-07-17

How to Cite

Beteno, S., Hastomo, A., & Hadi, N. (2025). Gender-Based Mathematics Anxiety: Strategies for Teachers to Foster Confidence and Inclusion. Numerical: Jurnal Matematika Dan Pendidikan Matematika, 9(1), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.25217/numerical.v9i1.6348

Issue

Section

Artikel Pendidikan Matematika