Why Females Choose STEM Majors: Understanding the Relationships between Major, Personality, Interests, Self-Efficacy, and Anxiety
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| Title: | Why Females Choose STEM Majors: Understanding the Relationships between Major, Personality, Interests, Self-Efficacy, and Anxiety |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jennifer McKinney, Mei-Lin Chang (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal for STEM Education Research. 2021 4(3):278-300. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 23 |
| Publication Date: | 2021 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | STEM Education, Majors (Students), Females, Decision Making, Influences, Student Interests, Self Efficacy, Mathematics Anxiety, Undergraduate Students, Student Attitudes, Gender Differences, Personality Traits |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s41979-021-00050-6 |
| ISSN: | 2520-8705 2520-8713 |
| Abstract: | Gender disparities in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM) degrees continue to be a global problem. Increasing equitable participation in STEM majors requires understanding how and why these disparities arise. This study examined relationships between female's selection of a STEM major, personality, STEM interest, STEM self-efficacy, and mathematics anxiety, and the relationship between those factors that affects gender disparities. Quantitative survey data from established instruments on these factors were collected from 128 female undergraduate students, including STEM (n = 60) and non-STEM majors (n = 68). Multiple Linear Regression, Binary Logistic Regression, and MANOVA were used to determine STEM self-efficacy. STEM self-efficacy was a significant variable explaining STEM interest, math anxiety, and majoring in STEM. The personality trait of openness was more significant in the female STEM majors than the non-STEM majors. This research has implications for identifying female STEM majors who may have math anxiety, decreasing those students' math anxiety, and recruiting females who would be open to a STEM career. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1420562 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Gender disparities in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM) degrees continue to be a global problem. Increasing equitable participation in STEM majors requires understanding how and why these disparities arise. This study examined relationships between female's selection of a STEM major, personality, STEM interest, STEM self-efficacy, and mathematics anxiety, and the relationship between those factors that affects gender disparities. Quantitative survey data from established instruments on these factors were collected from 128 female undergraduate students, including STEM (n = 60) and non-STEM majors (n = 68). Multiple Linear Regression, Binary Logistic Regression, and MANOVA were used to determine STEM self-efficacy. STEM self-efficacy was a significant variable explaining STEM interest, math anxiety, and majoring in STEM. The personality trait of openness was more significant in the female STEM majors than the non-STEM majors. This research has implications for identifying female STEM majors who may have math anxiety, decreasing those students' math anxiety, and recruiting females who would be open to a STEM career. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2520-8705 2520-8713 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s41979-021-00050-6 |
