Relationship Between Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Attitudes of Grade 6 Pupils at B. Titong Elementary School

Authors

  • Remaden C. Verano Teacher III, B. Titong Elementary School, Department of Education, Masbate City, Philippines Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsair.V2.I2.338

Keywords:

Anxiety, Attitudes Toward Mathematics, Descriptive-Correlational Research, Grade 6 Pupils, Mathematics Motivation, Mathematics Self-Efficacy, Resilience, Sustainable Education

Abstract

This study determined the relationship between mathematics self-efficacy and attitudes toward mathematics among Grade 6 pupils at B. Titong Elementary School during School Year 2024–2025. Anchored on Social Cognitive Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Expectancy-Value Theory, the study examined mathematics self-efficacy in terms of confidence, persistence, competence, effort, and resilience, and attitudes toward mathematics in terms of interest, enjoyment, anxiety, value, and motivation. A descriptive-correlational research design was used, with total enumeration sampling involving the officially enrolled Grade 6 pupils. Data were gathered through a researcher-made questionnaire validated by experts and analyzed using frequency counts, weighted mean, and Pearson correlation. Findings showed that pupils demonstrated moderate to positive mathematics self-efficacy, particularly in persistence, effort, resilience, competence, and confidence, although lower ratings were noted in independent tasks, formula retention, focus, and confidence after difficult exercises. Pupils also showed generally positive attitudes toward mathematics, with strong recognition of its value, although challenges were observed in word problems, projects, competitions, unfamiliar tasks, and test-related confidence. The Pearson correlation result revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between mathematics self-efficacy and attitudes toward mathematics, with an r-value of 0.64. The major challenges included uncertainty in solving exercises, nervousness, difficulty understanding new topics, discouragement, anxiety, frustration, and lack of motivation. The study concludes that pupils with stronger mathematics self-efficacy tend to demonstrate more favorable attitudes toward mathematics. It supports SDG 4 – Quality Education and SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being by promoting learner-centered mathematics instruction and addressing anxiety-related learning concerns. Its sustainability impact lies in strengthening educational, psychosocial, and institutional support systems for more confident, motivated, and resilient learners.

References

Ali, & Issahaku. (2024). Exploring student and teacher factors influencing students’ performance in mathematics.

Amien, S., Abidin, R., Hidayatullah, A., & Muhammad, R. (2023). Investigating the source of student self-efficacy and its relations to affective factors in mathematics learning. Journal of Elementary Education, 16(4), 375–391.

Apostol, et al. (2023). Students’ self-regulated learning strategies, self-efficacy, and mathematics performance in a mobile technology-integrated classroom of selected Grade 8 learners.

Aquino, & Ibarra. (2024). Correlational analysis on mathematical disposition and mathematical achievement among selected senior high school students at San Jose City National High School.

Asanre, et al. (2025). Attitude and self-efficacy as correlates of mathematics academic achievement of senior secondary school students in Remo North.

Avğın, I., & Ergen, Y. (2025). The relationship between mathematics motivation and mathematics problem-solving skills of primary school students. International Online Journal of Primary Education, 14(2), 32–47.

Aydoğdu, M. Z., Kurtça, T. T., Kılıç, A. F., & Kaçak, T. (2025). The role of value on mathematics between self-efficacy and like mathematics: A moderated mediation analysis. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 15(2), 236–251.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman and Company.

Baog, et al. (2025). The mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between goal setting and academic motivation among college students in mathematics.

Bjerke, A. H. (2025). Sources of mathematics and science self-efficacy in education: A systematic review. Educational Psychology Review.

Campanilla, N. S. (2025). Self-efficacy in mathematics: A predictor in the mathematics performance of Grade 8 learners. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 5(2), 87–103.

Cere, İ., İnci, E. N., Güngor, G., Gjoni, E., & Işıksal Bostan, M. (2025). Investigating high school students’ mathematics attitudes, self-efficacy, and anxiety regarding gender and grade level. International Journal of Educational Research.

Cerna, et al. (2024). Attitudes toward mathematics and virtual teaching of students in the context of COVID-19: Validation and reliability of instruments.

Chen, et al. (2024). The mediating role of self-efficacy between high school students’ perceived teacher support and mathematics feedback literacy.

Chivore. (2023). Secondary school learners’ self-efficacy and achievement in non-routine mathematics problem-solving.

Comahig, J. C., & Abuzo, E. P. (2024). The mediating effect of attitudes towards mathematics on the relationship between academic self-efficacy and motivation to learn mathematics. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 10(3).

Dagdag, J. D., & Calimag, N. A. (2023). Scale development and investigation of self-directed learning readiness in mathematics among Filipino college students. Journal of Research, Policy & Practice of Teachers and Teacher Education, 13(1), 61–75.

Deringöl, Y. (2025). Examining the mathematics attitudes of primary school students: A longitudinal analysis in the context of Turkey. Acta Didactica Napocensia, 18(1), 89–104.

Ding, et al. (2024). The importance of mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy for mathematics achievement: A comparison between public and independent schools in Sweden.

Du, et al. (2021). Mathematics interest, anxiety, self-efficacy and achievement: Examining reciprocal relations.

Eccles, J. S., & Wigfield, A. (2020). From expectancy-value theory to situated expectancy-value theory: A developmental, social cognitive, and sociocultural perspective on motivation. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, Article 101859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101859

Emata, C. (2023). The moderating effect of technology attitude on the relationship between math self-efficacy and attitudes towards mathematics. Unnes Journal of Mathematics Education, 12(1).

Ferdinand, et al. (2024). Mathematics interest, self-efficacy, and anxiety predict STEM career choice in emerging adulthood.

Fetalver, & Merano. (2021). Self-efficacy and attitude as predictors of mathematics performance of senior high school students.

Granello, A. F., Cuder, A., Doz, E., Pellizzoni, S., & Passolunghi, M. C. (2025). Improving math self-efficacy and math self-concept in middle school: A narrative systematic review. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 40, Article 42.

Hanub, et al. (2023). The impact of self-efficacy and math anxiety on the mathematical communication ability of 7-grade students.

Hernandez De la Hera, et al. (2023). Attitudes toward mathematics/statistics, anxiety, self-efficacy and academic performance: An artificial neural network.

Hidayati, et al. (2022). Prior achievement, self-efficacy, and mathematical literacy on uncertainty content and data content of XI grade senior high school students.

Hidayatullah, A., Abidin, R., & Muqit, A. (2024). Motivation and behavioral engagement: The mediating role of mathematics self-efficacy in primary education. Journal on Efficiency and Responsibility in Education and Science, 17(3), 237–246.

Jandayan, A. G. (2025). Teachers’ competence and students’ self-efficacy as predictors of student attitude in learning mathematics. TIJER, 12(3).

Julaihi, et al. (2023). Undergraduates mathematics achievement: Exploring the students’ attitude, self-efficacy and anxiety.

Laranang, J. A. I., & Bondoc, J. M. F. (2020). Attitudes and self-efficacy of students toward mathematics. International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, 5(5).

Lazarra, R. T. (2025). Mathematics self-efficacy and anxiety: Predictors of mathematics achievement. Asian Research Journal of Mathematics.

Mabuti. (2024). Improving students’ mathematics self-efficacy and learning achievement through game-based approach in instruction.

Magallon. (2025). Numbers and notions: Exploring students’ attitudes toward mathematics across confidence, value, and enjoyment.

Medova, et al. (2020). Relation between pupils’ mathematical self-efficacy and mathematical problem solving in the context of the teachers’ preferred pedagogies.

Misajon. (2025). Learners’ self-efficacy and attitude towards mathematics.

Nambatac, F. E. B. (2025). Problem solving heuristics, self-efficacy, mathematics anxiety, attitude and performance of Grade nine students. EPRA International Journal of Research & Development, 10(5).

Nicolaidou, & Philippou. (2025). Attitudes towards mathematics, self-efficacy and achievement in problem-solving.

Ochoa, et al. (2026). Tendencies in research on attitudes towards learning mathematics: A bibliometric analysis.

Oclarit, M., Jr., Lumacad, G. S., & Orboda, N. C. Z. (2025). Mathematics self-efficacy and anxiety of non-mathematics major students. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy.

OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 results (Volume I): The state of learning and equity in education. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en

Ovat, et al. (2024). Predicting multidimensionality of mathematical creativity among students: Do mathematics self-efficacy, attitude to mathematics and motivation to mathematics matter?

Paguican, W. V., & Torreon, L. C. (2020). Students’ attitude, self-efficacy and motivation towards mathematics performance. World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 6(9).

Pellizzoni, et al. (2023). Math self-efficacy or anxiety? The role of emotional and motivational contribution in math performance.

Pentang, J., Chua, C. C., Mancera, A., Solis, Y. J., & Bautista, R. (2023). Preservice teachers’ self-concept, self-efficacy, and attitude: Its implications to mathematics achievement. Studies in Technology and Education, 1(1).

Pérez-Fuentes, M. D. C., Núñez, A., Molero, M. D. M., Gázquez, J. J., Rosário, P., & Núñez, J. C. (2020). The role of anxiety in the relationship between self-efficacy and math achievement. Psicología Educativa, 26(2), 137–143.

Portento, et al. (2022). Self-efficacy as a mediator between motivation and engagement and academic performance.

Putri, M. M. (2021). The relationship between self-efficacy, math anxiety, and mathematics achievement. Aksioma Education Journal.

Retutas, M. J., & Rubio, M. T. (2021). Multivariate analysis on performance in statistics, self-efficacy and attitudes of senior high school students. Journal of Research and Advances in Mathematics Education, 6(4), 352–367.

Ruijia, Z., Talib, O., Burhanuddin, N. A. N., & Wenling, L. (2025). The effect of math self-concept and self-efficacy on the math achievement of sixth-grade primary school students: The mediating role of math anxiety. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development.

Schunk, D. H., & DiBenedetto, M. K. (2020). Motivation and social cognitive theory. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 60, Article 101832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.101832

Sharp, et al. (2025). Math anxiety and math self-efficacy: How demographic variables shape the relationship.

Shimizu. (2025). Relation between mathematics self-efficacy, mathematics anxiety, behavioural engagement, and mathematics achievement in Japan.

Sinanan. (2022). An investigation of mathematics self-efficacy, the sources of mathematics self-efficacy, and mathematics achievement among primary school students in Trinidad and Tobago.

Solinap. (2024). Motivational factors among Grade Six Maguindanaoan learners in mathematics at Sampao Elementary School.

Soraya, et al. (2024). Increasing middle school students’ self-efficacy in solving mathematics learning problems.

Street, et al. (2024). Students’ mathematics self-efficacy: A scoping review.

Suhardi, et al. (2025). Elementary school students’ mathematics learning motivation in the context of educational management: A cross-sectional study with Rasch analysis.

Tican, & Gorgun. (2020). Investigation of middle school students’ math self-efficacy perceptions and math problem posing attitudes.

Ugras. (2025). Research on mathematics anxiety in primary school: Bibliometric analysis and evaluation of trends.

Usher, E. L., & Weidner, B. L. (2018). Social cognitive theory. In K. R. Wentzel & D. B. Miele (Eds.), Handbook of motivation at school (2nd ed., pp. 13–39). Routledge.

Velez, & Abuzo. (2024). Mathematics self-efficacy and motivation as predictors of problem-solving skills of students.

Wang, C., Li, X., & Wang, H. (2023). The mediating effect of math self-efficacy on the relationship between parenting style and math anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1197170. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1197170

Wigfield, A., Tonks, S., & Klauda, S. L. (2016). Expectancy-value theory. In K. R. Wentzel & D. B. Miele (Eds.), Handbook of motivation at school (2nd ed., pp. 55–74). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315773384-5

Yang, Y., Maeda, Y., & Gentry, M. (2024). The relationship between mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics achievement: Multilevel analysis with NAEP 2019. Large-Scale Assessments in Education, 12, Article 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40536-024-00204-z

Zakariya, et al. (2022). Analysis of relations between attitude towards mathematics, prior knowledge, self-efficacy, expected and actual grades in mathematics.

Zhang, et al. (2025). The mediating role of math self-efficacy between school-based parental involvement and math performance among students in Southeast Asia: Evidence from PISA 2022.

Zhang, & Wang. (2020). The relationship between mathematics interest and mathematics achievement: Mediating roles of self-efficacy and mathematics anxiety. International Journal of Educational Research.

Zuo, R., Talib, O., Burhanuddin, N. A. N., & Wenling, L. (2023). The effect of math self-concept and self-efficacy on the math achievement of sixth-grade primary school students: The mediating role of math anxiety. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(3).

Downloads

Published

2026-05-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Verano, R. (2026). Relationship Between Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Attitudes of Grade 6 Pupils at B. Titong Elementary School. International Journal of Sustainability and Advanced Integrated Research, 2(2), 1426-1435. https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsair.V2.I2.338