Mathematics and Science Achievements Predicted by Self-Concept
and Subject Value Among 8th Grade Saudi Students:
Invariance Across Gender
Maher M. Abu-Hilal
Sultan Qaboos University
Faisal A. Abdelfattah and
Saleh A. Shumrani
King Saud University
Hamzah Dodeen
United Arab Emirate University
Adel S. Abduljabber
King Saud University
Herbert W. Marsh
King Saud University and Oxford University
The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationships among student’s self-perceptions,
subject value, and achievement in mathematics and science in a single-sex educational milieu,
and test whether the relationships were invariant across gender. The data for this study were
obtained from the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 database in which
4,099 eighth-grade Saudi students participated. The variables used in this study were mathe-
matics and science self-concepts, subject value, and achievement in mathematics and science.
The relationships among constructs were examined using structural equation modeling. The
results revealed that the measurement and structural models were invariant across gender. Also,
although the boys held more positive self-concepts (self-enhancing) about math and science,
girls outperformed boys in both math and science (self-improving). The implication of the study
is that intervention strategies should consider the conceptualization that self-concept and subject
value are two distinct domain-specific constructs. Also, interventions may be differentially
designed for boys and girls, especially in single-sex settings. However, more research should be
conducted in which high-stake tests vs. low-stake tests like the TIMSS, are used as measures of
achievement. Future research may study gender differences in self-concept, subject value, and
achievement by using measurement models that provide more detailed information about
measurement bias across gender groups.
Keywords: TIMMS, math and science achievement, self-concept, attitudes, gender invariance
Supplemental materials: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ipp0000022.supp
Achievement behavior, self-perception
(Heine, 2001), and self-evaluation (Becker et
al., 2014) are best understood within a cultural
context. Empirical research has indicated that
“individuals evaluate themselves in culturally
appropriate ways, deriving feelings of self-
esteem particularly from those identity aspects
that fulfill values prioritized by others in their
Maher M. Abu-Hilal, Department of Psychology, Sultan
Qaboos University; Faisal A. Abdelfattah and Saleh A.
Shumrani, Department of Psychology, King Saud Univer-
sity; Hamzah Dodeen, Department of Psychology, United
Arab Emirate University; Adel S. Abduljabber, Depart-
ment of Psychology, King Saud University; Herbert W.
Marsh, Department of Psychology, King Saud University
and Department of Psychology, Oxford University.
This research was sponsored by The Excellence Re-
search Center of Science and Mathematics Education, King
Saud University.
The authors would like to thank anonymous reviewers
and the editor for their insightful comments on earlier
versions of the paper.
An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 6th
Biennial International SELF Conference, 19 –22 July,
2011.
Correspondence concerning this article should be ad-
dressed to Maher M. Abu-Hilal, Department of Psy-
chology, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 32, Al
Khodh, Oman, PC 123. E-mail: mhilal@squ.edu
.om
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