Reflections on mathematics ability, anxiety, and interventions

Competency in mathematics is needed to respond the vast employment opportunities available STEM sectors. These all require basic foundational skills, yet there a shortfall of abilities due, in-part, anxiety. Mathematics anxiety can surface as fear and avoidance has been linked low performance ability (Ashcraft, 2002; Luttenberger et al., 2018). This thought paper (Snell, n.d.), begins with synthesis research on including known causal factors: cognitive/affective, social, genetic well recently proposed factor, missed opportunity (Brewster & Miller, 2020). Missed refers cases where an individual who capable academically comprehend but learn skills mathematics. Missing concepts places great stress, which result feelings Next, interventions for such mindfulness exercises (Brunyé 2013) expressive writing 2022; Park 2014) are discussed, led realization that more complex than previously reported given other factors affect duration writing, quality instruction, or additional stressors causing anxiety, test Knowing influencing individual’s may prove beneficial designing focused influential interventions.