Table 2 Fitted direct and indirect effects for the path models of the final model.

Growth mindset→Learning goals

0.192*

0.088

0.191*

[0.019, 0.361]

Learning goals→Math

0.243**

0.056

0.391**

[0.123, 0.349]

Learning goals→Intrinsic motivation

0.604**

0.057

0.751**

[0.476, 0.704]

Math→STEM career interest

0.103

0.074

0.116

[−0.058, 0.243]

Intrinsic motivation→STEM career interest

0.216**

0.066

0.315**

[0.081, 0.343]

Intrinsic motivation with Math

0.023

0.028

0.065

[−0.032, 0.078]

Growth mindset→Learning goals→Math

0.047

0.026

0.075

[0.005, 0.108]

Growth mindset→Learning goals→Intrinsic motivation

0.116*

0.053

0.144*

[0.019, 0.229]

Growth mindset→ Learning goals→Math→STEM career interest

0.005

0.004

0.009

[−0.001, 0.018]

Growth mindset→ Learning goals →Intrinsic motivation→ STEM career interest

0.025

0.014

0.045

[0.005, 0.059]

Model fit indices

Chi-squared

CFI

SRMR

RMSEA

Theoretical Model

146.102 (df = 10, p < 0.001)

1.000

0.026

0.000 [90% CI 0.000, 0.108]