Background: This study examined the psychometric properties (factor structure, convergent and criterion validity, inter-correlations, and reliabilities) of an Arabic version of the modified-Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (m-AMAS) and gender differences in math anxiety in an Arabic speaking Middle Eastern country, Qatar. Methods: A large sample of students in grade 7 to 10 (N= 731) completed the m-AMAS, three different scales to measure science anxiety, test anxiety, and general anxiety, as well as a scholastic math achievement test. Results: The two-factor structure of the m-AMAS was confirmed, with good to adequate reliabilities, and its compositional measurement invariance was established across girls and boys in the four grades. In addition, math anxiety correlated positively with science anxiety, test anxiety, and general anxiety. Regression analyses showed that math anxiety was negatively associated with math achievement, even when test anxiety, science anxiety, and general anxiety were considered. Furthermore, girls showed higher math anxiety than boys. Conclusions: These adequate psychometric properties of the Arabic m-AMAS suggest that the construct of math anxiety has a cross-cultural similarity.

Authors:
Ahmed Megreya, Qatar University, Qatar
Ahmed Al-Emadi, Qatar University, Qatar
Ahmed Moustafa, Bond University, Australia

About the Presenter(s)
Ahmed M. Megreya, PhD, is Professor & Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies. He obtained a PhD in cognitive psychology from the University of Glasgow (UK).

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-mohammed-megreya-724260132

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ahmed-Megreya

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