Developmental trajectories of math anxiety during adolescence: Associations with STEM career choice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were distinct developmental trajectories of math anxiety during adolescence and if these trajectories predicted later STEM career choice. The study also evaluated whether the trajectories varied in relation to gender and race/ethnicity. Data were drawn from Longitudinal Study of American Youth-younger cohort that consisted of 3116 nationally representative sample of 7th grade students (48% Female, 70% European American) that were followed for 7 years. The results revealed four heterogeneous math anxiety trajectory groups: consistently low (34.68%), decreasing (23.72%), increasing (21.90%), and consistently high (20.12%). Trajectories varied with regard to race/ethnicity but not gender. Membership in consistently low or decreasing trajectory predicted later STEM career choice. The findings suggest that preventive interventions may benefit from targeting math anxiety during adolescence.

Keywords: Adolescence; Developmental trajectories; Math anxiety; STEM career.