The mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities

Pilane, Gomolemo

The mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Organisational Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Commerce

Abstract

The low enrolment and high attrition rates among STEM students continue to be a critical concern in higher education. In order to explain the factors contributing to these patterns, the current study aimed to investigate the mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities. A quantitative research design was adopted to explore the variables pertaining to this study. Data was collected from 131 STEM students in a South African university. The participants completed an online survey comprising the Short-Form Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory, Perceptions of Academic Stress Scale, and the Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale. The Pearson Correlation results indicated no relationship between Mindset and Academic Stress and no relationship between Mindset and Fear of Failure. Unexpectedly, a significant negative relationship between Academic Stress and Fear of Failure was observed. The independent samples t-test reported significant gender differences in participants' academic stress and fear of failure. However, no significant gender differences were observed regarding participants' mindset orientation. The mediation analysis also revealed that Fear of Failure does not mediate the relationship between Mindset and Academic Stress. As Mindset theory is not thoroughly researched in a South African context, the findings of the study enhance understanding of Mindset in this context, and more specifically among the STEM student population. The study limitations, theoretical contributions, practical implications, and suggestions for future research are also presented with reference to relevant literature.