Mathematics Anxiety and Performance among College Students: Effectiveness of Systematic Desensitization Treatment

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the effectiveness of systematic desensitization
treatment on mathematics anxiety and performance among year one college
students. This study employs a quasi-experimental research design. The sample
for this study is drawn based on convenience sampling. The sample consists
of 65 year one students of which 32 are under the experimental group and
another 33 are under to control group. The instruments used in collecting
data are The Adopt and Adapt Fennama-Sherman Mathematics Attitude Scale
(MAS), Neo-Five-Factory Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI), Mathematics
Performance Test (MPTs), and The Systematic Desensitization (SD)
Module. The study postulates: (1) mathematics anxious students who receive
systematic desensitization treatment would report a reduction in the level of
mathematics anxiety as compared to those mathematics anxious students who
do not receive any treatment; (2) mathematics anxious students who receive
systematic desensitization treatment would perform better as compared
to those mathematics anxious students who do not receive any treatment.
Quantitative data is analysed using ANOVAs.