A study on mathematics anxiety among secondary school students of balangir district

Abstract

Mathematics is widely recognized as a fundamental subject crucial for academic and societal progress; however, it frequently induces fear, tension, and anxiety among learners. This research paper investigates the level of mathematics anxiety among secondary school students in the Balangir district of Odisha. Employing a descriptive survey research design, a sample of 320 secondary school students (equally distributed across gender, locality, and school type) was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using the standardized Mathematics Anxiety Scale developed by C. Lalsangpuii (2024), consisting of 38 items across cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent samples t-test) via SPSS. The findings reveal statistically significant differences in mathematics anxiety based on gender, locality, and school type, with male students, rural students, and government school students exhibiting higher levels of anxiety. The paper concludes with educational implications and targeted recommendations for reducing anxiety and improving learning outcomes.