Intervention on Mathematics Self-Efficacy: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: Research has demonstrated a strong correlation between mathematics self-efficacy and math performance. Middle school children are increasingly receiving solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), which is a type of psychotherapy. The study intends to use SFBT intervention to improve mathematics self-efficacy of students and to determine whether SFBT intervention was effective. To examine whether Rasch model can be used to evaluate students’ mathematics self-efficacy. Methods: This study intends to use Radar chart, Rasch model, Line chart to measure the variations of mathematics self-efficacy of three 8th graders (n=3) during SFBT intervention. Results: Radar chart and Rasch model demonstrated a general increment in the mathematics self-efficacy of two pupils, while another one decreased. Additionally, three students showed a decline in their mathematics self-efficacy on particular mathematical problems using a line chart. Conclusion: Overall, students with varied degrees of self-efficacy in math benefited from SFBT interventions, which partially supports the usefulness of SFBT as a tool for assessing students’ mathematics self-efficacy. It supported that Rasch model can reflected the changes in students’ mathematics self-efficacy. This study provides guidance for measuring the improvement of students’ academic self-efficacy through SFBT intervention using Rasch model.