Impact of gender role stereotypes on STEM academic performance among high school girls: Mediating effects of educational aspirations

The underrepresentation of women in STEM fields persists, despite ongoing global initiatives aimed at achieving gender equality. Gender inequality and associated biases significantly impact educational equity and academic outcomes. This research investigated the impact of gender role stereotypes on the STEM academic performance of high school girls in economically deprived regions of China, with a particular focus on the mediating effect of educational aspirations and the moderating role of grade level in promoting equity in STEM education. Using a quantitative research approach, this study surveyed 768 female students (10th–11th grade) and analyzed data using regression and moderated mediation analysis to examine the proposed relationships. Results show that gender role stereotypes and STEM academic performance have a negative correlation (β = -0.066, p < 0.05). This association is fully mediated by educational aspirations, indicating that gender role stereotypes primarily influence STEM performance by shaping students' academic aspirations [indirect effect β = 0.134, 95% CI (-0.9047, -0.0994), p < 0.001]. Specifically, stronger gender role stereotypes are associated with lower educational aspirations, which in turn lead to reduced STEM academic achievement. However, as students progress to higher grades, the negative effect of gender role stereotypes on STEM academic performance weakens, becoming nonsignificant in 11th grade. This pattern suggests that while educational aspirations serve as a critical pathway through which gender role stereotypes affect STEM outcomes, the overall influence of these stereotypes diminishes as students face increasing academic pressure and raise more resilient self-identities. This study emphasizes the necessity of addressing gender stereotypes at pivotal educational stages and advocates for specific interventions. The research presented here offers practical recommendations for policymakers and educators aimed at promoting gender equity and mitigating achievement barriers in STEM fields.