The effect of images and attitudes towards curiosity on depression, anxiety, and fear of consequences of academic success in elementary students: the mediating role of critical thinking

Students’ mental health quality in schools significantly influences the development and increase of students’ research and questioning abilities. Few studies have sought to investigate the role of images and attitudes towards curiosity (CIAC) on elementary student depression and anxiety, and fear of consequences of academic success (FCAS). This study examined the effects of images and attitudes towards curiosity on depression and anxiety, and fear of consequences of academic success in elementary students by mediating the roles of critical thinking (CT). Results from a sample of 450 elementary students in Iran showed that the direct path coefficients of images of and attitudes towards curiosity to fear of consequences of academic success and depression and anxiety were not significant. However, with the inclusion of critical thinking as a mediating variable, the indirect effect coefficient was significant. Additionally, there were positive relationships between images and attitudes towards curiosity and critical thinking.