Outside of School Factors That Predict Mathematics Mindset

• Published in: Psychology in the schools Vol. 62; no. 9; pp. 3057 - 3065
• Main Authors: Michie, Stacey, Cribbs, Jennifer, Utley, Juliana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2025
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Classrooms; Educational Experience; Gender differences; Grade 12; Mathematics; Mathematics Education; mathematics mindset; Motivation; Perseveration; regression; School Support; secondary; student background; Student Motivation; Students
• ISSN: 0033-3085; 1520-6807
• DOI: 10.1002/pits.23519

ABSTRACT Understanding students' mathematics mindset is valuable for fostering academic perseverance and promoting STEM engagement. This study investigates students' mathematics mindset from 5th to 12th grade and explores the influence of outside‐of‐school factors on their mindset development. Drawing on the framework of growth mindset, the research examines how experiences beyond the classroom shape students' beliefs about their mathematical abilities and academic motivation. This study utilizes surveys to assess students' mathematics mindset at various grade levels in addition to gathering data that explores the role of outside‐of‐school support and factors in predicting students' mathematical mindset. Findings indicate mathematics mindset seems relatively stable over the grades, except for a dip in 6th grade with an increase in 12th grade. Gender analysis reveals interesting nuances, with males tending to report a higher mean for mathematics mindset overall, though a reversal of this trend is noted in 8th grade. Moreover, regression analysis identifies mathematics as a family hobby as a significant predictor of mathematics mindset, highlighting the influence of familial experiences on students' perceptions of mathematics. Overall, the research underscores the importance of considering both in‐school and out‐of‐school experiences in understanding and supporting students' mathematics mindset. Summary Mathematical mindset is relatively stable for students across 5th−12th grade. Male students reported lower levels of mathematical mindset than female students. Students indicating that math is a family hobby reported higher levels of mathematical mindset.