The Role of Value on Mathematics Between Self-Efficacy and Like Mathematics: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

This study examines the moderating effects of parents’ belief in the importance of mathematics on the relationship between students’ mathematics self-efficacy and their enjoyment of mathematics among 8th-grade students in the TIMSS 2019 data. Mediation analysis revealed that higher self-efficacy in mathematics increased students' enjoyment of the subject, with students' value of mathematics partially mediating this relationship. The parents' attitudes significantly moderated the mediating effect, emphasizing their critical role in shaping students' attitudes toward mathematics. Notably, the indirect effect of students' value of mathematics was more substantial when parents did not perceive mathematics as important. These findings highlight the complex interplay among students’ self-beliefs, their value of mathematics, and parents’ value of mathematics, collectively influencing students' enjoyment of mathematics. Further research could explore the implications of these relationships for educational practices.