Math anxiety regulation: How women’s emotion regulation strategies shift across the lifespan

This study examined age differences in math anxiety (MA), emotion regulation (ER) strategies, and anxiety susceptibility among 200 women across two age groups (18–27 years old, n = 100; and 50–58 years old, n = 100). Following tests of these differences, we developed an integrative model that delineates the connections between ER, general anxiety, MA, and age. Findings revealed significant age-related differences in regulatory habits and resilience to mathematical anxiety, with older women demonstrating more effective regulatory skills associated with lower numerical stress. In contrast, younger participants exhibited different regulation patterns and higher anxiety levels that could potentially impede mathematical performance. This study demonstrates that separate hypotheses—regarding ER, anxiety, and age—converge into an interesting and complex psychological narrative with pedagogical and clinical implications. The current integrated model reveals their interdependence and suggests that targeting ER may reduce MA and enhance engagement, particularly among younger women.