Abstract
This study examined the relationships among cultural values, goal orientations, and mathematics achievement in mainland China. Structural equation models were used to analyze data on 350 Grade 5 students. The results showed that mathematics achievement was positively related to family-support and mastery goal orientations and negatively related to performance-avoidance goal orientation; that family recognition through achievement positively predicted mastery, performance-approach, performance-avoidance, and family-support goal orientations; that conformity to norms was positively linked to mastery, performance-approach, and family-support goal orientations; and that collectivism had a positive association with the adoption of family-support goal orientation, whereas emotional self-control positively predicted performance-avoidance goal orientation. Results of bootstrap analysis further confirmed the mediation role of goal orientation in the relationships between cultural values and mathematics achievement with positive indirect paths via family-support and mastery orientations but negative indirect paths via performance-avoidance orientation. Possible explanations of the results are discussed.
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Guo, M., Hu, X. & Leung, F.K. Culture, Goal Orientations, and Mathematics Achievement among Chinese Students. Int J of Sci and Math Educ 20, 1225–1245 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-021-10202-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-021-10202-0