Resiliency in mathematics investigating the life experiences of successful female mathematics professionals in selected public universities in Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated the experiences of successful female mathematics professionals and the elements that facilitated their resilience in the mathematics field. A survey design and sequential exploratory mixed method approach were employed in collecting both quantitative and qualitative data for the study. The population for the study was female mathematics professionals in selected tertiary institutions in Ghana from which 70 females in Central and Greater Accra Region were sampled using purposive sampling technique and snowball sampling for data collection exercise. Close-ended questionnaire items and semi-structured interview protocol were used as data collection instruments. Frequency count, percentage, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient were the statistical tests used in analyzing the quantitative data collected for the study while the qualitative data was presented in descriptive words. The result revealed unhealthy school environment (75.71%), sociocultural beliefs (74.29%) and managing multiple roles as challenging experiences of females in their educational journeys. Also, internal factors (e.g., mathematical self-efficacy 78.57%, determination and self-confidence in mathematics 70.00%) and external factors (e.g., active participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities 72.86%) were common factors that contributed to females’ success in the mathematics discipline. The study further found that support systems (e.g., family, school, peer, role models and scholarships) are essential factors which helped females to successfully manoeuvre their ways to gainfully attain a profession in the mathematics field. Finally, the Pearson correlations indicated a significantly positive correlation between various support systems and females’ resilience in mathematics. The researcher hereby concluded females’ challenges in their educational journey in mathematics are related to experiences in unhealthy school environment, sociocultural beliefs and managing multiple roles in the home. However, some internal and external factors as well as support factors contributed to their success in the discipline. Based on the conclusion, it is recommended that parents should put in much effort to develop the mathematical resilience of their female children.