The profile of student math-anxiety

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to describe the level of anxiety of junior high school students (SMP and MTs) towards mathematics and to identify what symptoms most appeared in students. The study conducted in 10 SMP/MTs in Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, representing 66 SMP/MTs in Kulon Progo. The research subjects were 943 junior high school students of grade VII, VIII, and IX from eight SMP and two MTs. Data collected through instruments in the form of a Likert model psychology scale. The conclusion of this research is as follows. First, the level of students’ anxiety towards mathematics (math-anxiety) was in a low category. Second, the percentages of students who have very low, low, moderate, high, and very high anxiety levels are 4%, 50%, 41%, 5%, and 0%, respectively. Third, the levels of anxiety of students towards mathematics are almost the same for each grade, which in the low category, except for grade VIII SMP who is in the moderate category. Fourth, psychological symptoms appear more often than physiological symptoms. Fifth, there are five questions that the most “often” and “always” answers. The items are as follows. Fist, I am relieved if the mathematics class is empty. Second, I am relieved if the math class ends”. Third, I am upset if I have to learn mathematical material without being explained first. Fourth, I am shocked if my teacher gives a lot of math homework. Fifth, I am appalled if my teacher suddenly gives a math quiz. To reduce students’ anxiety towards mathematics, it recommended for a mathematics teacher to use a humanist approach to learning.