International Journal of Learning Reformation in Elementary Education
Vol. 5 No. 01 (2026): Article in Press - International Journal of Learning Reformation in Elementary

The Relationship Between Math Anxiety and Self-Efficacy on the Basic Mathematical Ability of Prospective Elementary School Teachers

Ekasari, Lintang Analisa (Unknown)
Firdaus, Fery Muhamad (Unknown)
Senen, Anwar (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
13 Feb 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the relationship between math anxiety and self-efficacy on the basic mathematical abilities of prospective elementary school teachers. The study used a correlational quantitative approach with 282 students from five state universities in Indonesia. The instruments consisted of a math anxiety scale, a self-efficacy scale, and a basic mathematical ability test, all of which had been tested for validity and reliability. Descriptive analysis results show that self-efficacy is in the high category (M = 70.44; SD = 11.21), math anxiety is in the moderate category (M = 29.35; SD = 6.33), and basic mathematical ability is in the good category (M = 19.04; SD = 3.69). Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that self-efficacy was negatively and significantly related to math anxiety (r = –0.436, p < 0.001) and positively related to basic mathematical ability (r = 0.304, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, math anxiety had a weak negative relationship with basic mathematical ability (r = –0.175, p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression results show that self-efficacy has a significant effect on basic mathematical ability (β = 0.281, p < 0.001), while math anxiety has no significant effect (β = –0.053, p = 0.402), with a model contribution of 9.5% (R² = 0.095). Math anxiety is negatively correlated with basic mathematical ability but becomes non-significant when self-efficacy is included in the regression model, indicating an indirect effect. These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening self-efficacy in teacher education to improve prospective elementary school teachers’ mathematical competence.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJLREE

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

International Journal of Learning Reformation in Elementary Education discusses and shares education theory, research, and their implications for teaching and learning reformation to deal with global issues. It prefers to publish original studies that cover facts and phenomena about school and ...