The Role of Statistics Anxiety and Attitudes in Statistical Literacy Among Students With Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Statistical literacy is widely regarded as a core competency for academic achievement and informed decision-making across disciplines. However, many students experience elevated statistics anxiety and hold negative attitudes toward statistics, which can hinder their learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between students with and without learning disabilities (SLD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in statistics anxiety, attitudes toward statistics, and statistical literacy, and to examine the mediating role of attitudes in the relationship between statistics anxiety and statistical literacy. A total of 405 higher education students participated: 44 students with SLD/ADHD, 50 students with only-ADHD, and 311 without SLD/ADHD. Participants completed the Hebrew statistical anxiety rating scale and a statistical literacy assessment. Results showed that students with SLD/ADHD experienced higher levels of statistics anxiety and less favorable attitudes toward statistics compared to students without SLD/ADHD. Computational self-concept emerged as a significant mediator between test and class anxiety—a component of statistics anxiety—and statistical literacy for students with SLD/ADHD. The study highlights the importance of addressing both attitudinal and anxiety factors in statistics education for students with SLD/ADHD, as well as the need for targeted interventions to foster statistical literacy in higher education.