Fear of Failure in Learning Mathematics and Its Effect on Academic Procrastination among Pre-service Teachers

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the levels of fear of failure in learning mathematics and academic procrastination among college students in Davao Occidental. The participants included first-year to fourth-year students enrolled in a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics during the first semester of the school year 2023–2024. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study examined the relationship between fear of failure in learning mathematics and academic procrastination among 113 randomly selected respondents. Results showed that students had a high level of fear of failure in learning mathematics, indicating that they are often anxious about performance but still manage to complete tasks on time. However, academic procrastination was also reported at a high level, suggesting that many students tend to delay tasks, occasionally miss deadlines, and experience added stress. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between fear of failure and academic procrastination. Specifically, fear of disappointing important others and the possibility of feeling shame or embarrassment were key factors that contributed to students’ procrastination in learning mathematics.