Psychometric evaluation of the abbreviated math anxiety scale in Russian university students

Bibliographic Data

ID22165039
AuthorsSergey Malykh (0000-0002-3786-7447, Russian Academy of Education, corresponding author), Anna Pavlova (0000-0002-7825-5746, Russian Academy of Education), Artem Malykh (0000-0003-4109-9935, Russian Academy of Education), Timofey Adamovich (0000-0003-1571-9192, Russian Academy of Education), Alexey Tikhoniyk (Russian Academy of Education), Victoria Ismatullina (0000-0002-5096-4313, Russian Academy of Education), Pavel Kolyasnikov (0000-0003-3633-5913, Russian Academy of Education), Tatiana Tikhomirova (0000-0002-6748-763X, Russian Academy of Education)
Year2025
Volume10
Publication date2025-10-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2504-284X • E-ISSN: 2504-284X
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/feduc.2025.1669267
OpenAlexW4415237230
LanguageEN
References cited32

Math anxiety can hinder learning and deter students from pursuing STEM fields. The Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (AMAS) is a short measure of math anxiety, but its use among Russian university students has not been previously evaluated. We assessed the psychometric properties of the AMAS in a sample of 6,337 Russian first-year university students (mean age 18.6 ± 0.96; 64.4% female). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a bifactor model—with a general Math Anxiety factor and two specific factors (Learning Math Anxiety and Math Evaluation Anxiety)—fit the data best (CFI = 0.995, RMSEA = 0.048). The AMAS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.82–0.86; McDonald’s ω = 0.83–0.86) and convergent validity via moderate correlations with trait anxiety ( r = 0.35–0.44, p < 0.001). Measurement invariance across gender and academic profile (STEM vs. non-STEM majors) was supported, suggesting that the scale functions equivalently across these groups. Overall, the Russian version of the AMAS exhibits strong psychometric properties in this population and can be confidently used to assess math anxiety among Russian university students

Anxiety · Confirmatory factor analysis · Internal consistency · Mathematical anxiety · Measurement invariance · Population · Psychometrics · Education, Achievement, and Giftedness · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology of Development and Education

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