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

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dc.contributor.advisorZungu, Thomzonke
dc.contributor.advisorLewis, Clif
dc.contributor.authorPilane, Gomolemo
dc.date.accessioned2026-08-24T10:04:01Z
dc.date.available2026-08-24T10:04:01Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.date.updated2026-08-24T10:02:57Z
dc.description.abstractThe 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.
dc.identifier.apacitationPilane, G. (2026). <i>The mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Organisational Psychology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43718en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationPilane, Gomolemo. <i>"The mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Organisational Psychology, 2026. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43718en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationPilane, G. 2026. The mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Organisational Psychology. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43718en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Pilane, Gomolemo AB - 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. DA - 2026 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Mindset KW - Fear of Failure KW - Academic Stress KW - STEM students KW - South Africa LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2026 T1 - The mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities TI - The mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43718 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/43718
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationPilane G. The mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Organisational Psychology, 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43718en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentOrganisational Psychology
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Commerce
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectMindset
dc.subjectFear of Failure
dc.subjectAcademic Stress
dc.subjectSTEM students
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.titleThe mediating role of fear of failure in the relationship between mindset and academic stress among STEM students in South African universities
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMCom
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