The Mediating Effect of Self–Efficacy on the Relationship Between Goal Setting and Academic Motivation among College Students in Mathematics

Ismael W. Baog; El Rhea Mae D. Tura; Al-Cris Seban

doi:10.62951/ijer.v2i2.340

Authors

Ismael W. Baog City College of Davao
El Rhea Mae D. Tura City College of Davao
Al-Cris Seban City College of Davao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62951/ijer.v2i2.340

Keywords:

Goal setting, self-efficacy, academic motivation, mediation analysis, mathematics education

Abstract

Academic motivation in mathematics remains a critical factor influencing student engagement and performance. This study examined the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between goal setting and academic motivation among college students. Using mediation analysis, 100 participants were selected through stratified random sampling. Results indicated that self-efficacy partially mediates the relationship, but goal setting unexpectedly had a negative effect on self-efficacy, suggesting that specific goal-setting strategies may introduce pressure or unrealistic expectations. This finding challenges the assumption that goal setting always enhances confidence and motivation. Future research may explore alternative mediating factors and variations in goal-setting strategies. Additionally, educational interventions should integrate self-efficacy-enhancing techniques such as mastery experiences and peer support to maximize student motivation and achievement in mathematics.

References

Al-Bataineh, A., Brenwall, L., Stalter, K., & York, J. (2019). Student growth through goal setting. International Journal of Learning and Teaching, 11(4), 4329. https://doi.org/10.18844/ijlt.v11i4.4329

Amien, S., Abidin, R., Hidayatullah, A., & Muhammad, R. (2023). Investigating the source of student self-efficacy and its relations to affective factors in mathematics learning. Revija za Elementarno Izobraževanje. https://doi.org/10.18690/rei.2463

Aswin, A., & Herman, T. (2022). Self-efficacy in mathematics learning and efforts to improve it. Hipotenusa: Journal of Mathematical Society, 4(2), 8095. https://doi.org/10.18326/hipotenusa.v4i2.8095

Bandura, A. (1982). Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. American Psychologist, 37(2), 122–147. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.37.2.122

Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173-1182. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173

Baxter, R., Bates, A., & Al-Bataineh, A. (2017). Developmental mathematics students: Who are they and what is their mathematics self-efficacy? International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, 4, 37-53. https://doi.org/10.21449/IJATE.264026

Buzza, D., & Dol, M. (2018). Goal-setting support, motivation, and engagement in alternative math classes. Exceptionality Education International, 25(1), 35–66. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1104133

Cheng, X. (2023). Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theory. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1035223

Comahig, J., & Abuzo, E. (2024). The mediating effect of attitudes towards mathematics on the relationship between academic self-efficacy and motivation to learn mathematics. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR). https://doi.org/10.36713/epra16217

Dua, C. C. R., Mancera, A. C., Solis, Y. J. R., Pentang, J. T., & Bautista, R. M. (2022). Preservice teachers’ self-concept, self-efficacy, and attitude: Its implications to mathematics achievement. Studies in Technology and Education, 1(1), 1-13. https://philarchive.org/archive/DUAPTS

Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (4th ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.

Gaumer, E. R., & Noonan, P. M. (2018). Goal setting for students: A success strategy guide for teachers and students. Brookes Publishing.

González-Fernández, F. T., Baena-Morales, S., Ramos-Pérez, D., & Morente-Oria, H. (2020). Motivation and self-efficacy influence in the academic performance of secondary student-athletes. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 15(4proc), S1059-S1070. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2020.15.Proc4.08

Hayes, A. F. (2018). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Hematian, F., Rezaei, A., & Mohammadyfar, M. (2016). On the effect of goal setting on self-directed learning, achievement motivation, and academic achievement among students. Mathematical Models and Methods in Applied Sciences, 11, 37. https://doi.org/10.5539/MAS.V11N1P37

Honicke, T., & Broadbent, J. (2016). The influence of academic self-efficacy on academic performance: A systematic review. Educational Research Review, 17, 63–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.11.002

Honicke, T., Broadbent, J., & Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz, M. (2020). Learner self-efficacy, goal orientation, and academic achievement: exploring mediating and moderating relationships. Higher Education Research & Development, 39, 689 - 703. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1685941.

Izzati, N., & Widyastuti, W. (2021). The influence of self-efficacy on students' mathematical disposition. Eduma: Mathematics Education Learning and Teaching, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.24235/EDUMA.V10I1.8519

Kaya, G. (2017). Relations between goal orientations, academic and teacher self-efficacy in predicting achievement. European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences, 1205–1214. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2017.05.02.148

Khosiyah, S. (2022). The effect of academic self-efficacy and school climate on academic achievement in mathematics with achievement motivation as mediator. Indonesian Journal of Behavioral Studies. https://doi.org/10.19109/ijobs.v2i2.14928

Leong, Y. (2021). Contours of self-efficacy across nested mathematical domains: A case of a Singapore student with a history of low performance in mathematics. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 35, 171-192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-021-00394-7

Li, L., Peng, Z., Lu, L., Liao, H., & Li, H. (2020). Peer relationships, self-efficacy, academic motivation, and mathematics achievement in Zhuang adolescents: A moderated mediation model. Children and Youth Services Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105358

Litvinova, A. (2022). Goal-setting among students with different levels of academic achievement. Integration of Education. https://doi.org/10.15507/1991-9468.109.026.202204.708-721

Liu, J., Wu, Y., & Zhao, F. (2023). The impact of self-efficacy on mathematics academic performance among Chinese high school students. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/21/20230172

Mariano-Dolesh, M. L., Collantes, L. M., Ibañez, E. D., & Pentang, J. (2022). Mindset and levels of conceptual understanding in the problem-solving of preservice mathematics teachers in an online learning environment. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(6), 18-33. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4150780

McMillan, D. (2019). What are the effects of goal-setting on motivation and academic achievement in a fourth-grade classroom? Education, Psychology. Retrieved from https://sophia.stkate.edu/maed/337

Nurkarim, A. W., Qonita, W., & Monterroza, D. (2023). The students’ mathematics motivation scale: A measure of intrinsic, extrinsic, and perceptions of mathematics. International Journal on Teaching and Learning Mathematics, 6(1), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.18860/ijtlm.v6i1.23610

Paudel, K., & Ghimire, S. (2024). Mathematics self-efficacy among secondary level students. Pragyaratna प्रज्ञारत्न, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.3126/pragyaratna.v6i1.64544

Saks, K. (2024). The effect of self-efficacy and self-set grade goals on academic outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1324007. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1324007

Schippers, M. C., Scheepers, A. W. A., & Peterson, J. B. (2015). A scalable goal-setting intervention closes both the gender and ethnic minority achievement gap. Palgrave Communications, 1(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1057/palcomms.2015.14

Shofiah, V., Taruna, R., & Asra, Y. (2023). Academic self-efficacy as a mediator on the relationship between academic motivation and academic achievement of college students during the online learning period. International Journal of Islamic Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.18196/ijiep.v4i1.18247.

Sides, J., & Cuevas, J. (2020). Effect of goal setting for motivation, self-efficacy, and performance in elementary mathematics. International Journal of Instruction. https://doi.org/10.29333/IJI.2020.1341A

Sides, J., & Cuevas, J. (2020). Effect of goal setting for motivation, self-efficacy, and performance in elementary mathematics. International Journal of Instruction, 13(4), 285-304. https://doi.org/10.29333/IJI.2020.1341A

Sihite, R., & Elfrianto, E. (2023). Analysis of self-efficacy in mathematics learning for students. EDUCTUM: Journal Research. https://doi.org/10.56495/ejr.v2i3.464

Toland, M., & Usher, E. (2016). Assessing mathematics self-efficacy. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 36, 932-960. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431615588952

Usher, E. L., & Pajares, F. (2008). Sources of self-efficacy in school: Critical review and future directions. Review of Educational Research, 78(4), 751-796. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654308321456

Valenzuela-Peñuñuri, R., Tapia-Fonllem, C. O., Fraijo-Sing, B. S., & Manríquez-Betanzos, J. C. (2024). Academic motivation and affective engagement toward science and math: The mediating role of self-efficacy. Frontiers in Education, 9, Article 1385848. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1385848

Ye, J. (2021). The relationship of academic self-efficacy, goal orientation, and personal goal setting among high school students. Frontiers in Educational Research, 4(11), 109. https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2021.041109

Zientek, L., Fong, C., & Phelps, J. (2017). Sources of self-efficacy of community college students enrolled in developmental mathematics. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 43, 183-200. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2017.1357071

Zuldha, R., & Kaihatu, V. (2020). Pelatihan daring goal setting dan pengaruhnya terhadap motivasi mahasiswa. ADPI, 1, 204-209. https://doi.org/10.47841/adpi.v1i1.53.