Structural Equation Modeling of the Effect of Parents’ Mathematics Self-Efficacy Beliefs and the Home Numeracy Environment on the Development of Early Primary Children’s Mathematical Abilities
Abstract
The study aimed to examine the reciprocal influences between parental mathematical self-efficacy beliefs and the home numeracy environment, and to identify the direct effects of these two variables on children’s mathematical abilities and their mathematical self-esteem. The study also sought to develop an explanatory model based on structural equation modeling to analyze the complex relationships between these variables. The researcher used the descriptive approach, and a set of standardized scales was administered to a sample of 112 early primary male and female students enrolled in international schools, selected through purposive sampling. Additionally, 93 mothers participated, all of whom were proficient in English as a condition for participation. The findings revealed that parental mathematical self-efficacy beliefs and the home numeracy environment exerted significant positive direct effects on children’s mathematical self-esteem. The results further indicated direct effects of both variables on the development of children’s mathematical abilities and skills. Moreover, the home numeracy environment functioned as a mediating variable in the relationship between parental mathematical self-efficacy beliefs and children’s mathematical abilities, as well as in the relationship between parental mathematical self-efficacy beliefs and children’s mathematical self-concept. The study recommends increasing awareness of the importance of the home environment and parental attitudes in forming children’s mathematical development and their self-perceptions of competence. Additionally, it recommends the necessity of conducting future research to include broader educational stages and age groups to further verify the extent to which the home numeracy environment and parental self-efficacy beliefs influence children’s mathematical and cognitive abilities.
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Home numeracy environmentSelf-efficacy beliefsSelf-esteemChildren’s mathematical skillsStructural equation modeling
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