Journal of Advances in Mathematics and Computer Science

This study investigates the dynamic behavior and potential durability of mathematics anxiety (MA) in an academic community by developing a novel epidemiological framework. A Susceptible–Anxious–Performing (SAP) compartmental model was adapted by modifying the conventional SIR structure in order to examine the prevalence of Mathematics Anxiety among Senior High School (SHS) students in Ghana. The SAP model is defined as a dynamic compartmental model. The subsequent mathematical analysis rigorously derived the Basic Reproduction Number  and yielded global stability proofs for both the Anxiety-Free Equilibrium (AFE) and the Anxiety Equilibrium (AE)  To formally formulate the model, ordinary differential equations (ODEs) were employed. The threshold requirement for the endemic persistence of anxiety was rigorously defined by applying the Next-Generation Matrix (NGM) technique to the linearized system. This study yielded a baseline Reproduction number R_0=1.14 based on literature-informed parameters (β = 1.60,α = 0.25,μ = 0.03,δ = 0.03,γ = 0.12). Because this computed  value is greater than unity (R_0>1), the model strongly suggests that Mathematics anxiety may continue to be endemically present throughout the student population, given the current system characteristics. To effectively reduce the prevalence of Mathematics Anxiety, the findings emphasize the necessity of systemic interventions that focus on two key model parameters: reducing the peer-driven transmission rate (β) and raising the rate of anxiety recovery or the student performance (α).