Measurement and dimensionality of mathematics anxiety

The measurement of mathematics anxiety has become increasingly important for identification of math-anxious individuals and evaluation of treatment programs for mathematics anxiety. The purpose of the present study was to examine the dimensionality of one such measure of mathematics anxiety, the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS). The responses to 94 MARS items were obtained for 350 female participants in a mathematics-anxiety program. The items were intercorrelated, and the correlation matrix was factored by a principal-axes technique, using squared multiple correlations as communality estimates, with rotation to a direct oblimin and varimax criterion. Two factors were identified and labeled as Mathematics Test Anxiety and Numerical Anxiety. Factor-derived scales were developed and correlated with 5 specific anxiety scales and an arithmetic test. The factor interpretations were supported by the expected discriminant and convergent relationship among these scales. The concept, measures, and treatment of mathematics anxiety are discussed. (44 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).