Shyness and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Mathematics Anxiety among Secondary School Students in Makurdi, Benue State

The study examined shyness and emotional intelligence as predictors of mathematics anxiety among secondary school students in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria. The study used ex post facto research design. Three standardized questionnaires were used for data collection from secondary school students in Makurdi. Six hundred and fifty (650) copies of questionnaire were distributed, however, 619 were returned, representing a return rate of 96.57%. Out of the 619 returned questionnaire, 18 copies were discarded due to improper completion, leaving a total of 601 copies that were used for the data analyses. Data was analyzed using hierarchical regression. The results revealed that shyness significantly and positively predicted mathematic anxiety, however, emotional intelligence was not found to predict mathematics anxiety. Recommendations were made based on the findings that students should be trained on social skills and emotional intelligence as this will help them overcome mathematics anxiety. Keywords: Shyness, emotional intelligence, mathematics anxiety, secondary school students