ERIC Number: EJ1304858
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Sep
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0829-5735
EISSN: N/A
Rumination as a Moderating Effect between Math Computation and Executive Function Skills in Elementary Students
Kang, Melissa; Bedard, Anne-Claude; Martinussen, Rhonda
Canadian Journal of School Psychology, v36 n3 p206-220 Sep 2021
Although students with stronger executive functions (EFs) tend to do better on math computation (MC) assessments than students with weaker EFs, stressful testing situations may lower or affect their mathematical ability. Rumination is one maladaptive coping strategy that can negatively affect EF processes, but little is known about how it impacts the relationship between EFs and MC. This study aimed to examine the relationship between students' performance on a standardized MC task and ratings of EF ability as a function of their level of rumination. In a sample of students from Grades 4 to 6 (n = 72, mean age = 10.74), there was an interaction between EF scores and rumination in predicting MC. Students with weaker EF scores demonstrated worse math performance than students with stronger EF scores. Interestingly, their level of rumination moderated this association. Specifically, EF difficulties were only associated with less proficient MC performance among high ruminators; this association was not observed among those students reporting low rumination levels. For school psychologists, these findings provide insight into the potential causes of poor MC performance among students with average or better EFs.
Descriptors: Computation, Mathematics Tests, Mathematics Achievement, Executive Function, Elementary School Students, Preadolescents, Test Anxiety, Mathematics Anxiety, Coping, Scores, Correlation, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Questionnaires, Psychological Patterns, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools; Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A