Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 19-36 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Psychology Learning and Teaching |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 25 Feb 2021 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Understanding characteristics that contribute to psychology students’ academic success is important to better support them during their studies. Referring to person–environment fit theory, we examined effects of study-relevant characteristics (self-efficacy beliefs, self-assessed level of information about the study program) on subjective criteria of success (persistence with the choice of study subject, later study satisfaction) and controlled for effects of grade point average (GPA) and mathematical skills. We present a longitudinal survey study including five cohorts of first-year students (total N = 854). Mediation models (N = 254) revealed that self-efficacy and level of information at study entry predicted students’ persistence at the end of the first semester, which predicted satisfaction at the end of the second semester. In the presumed overall model we found total effects of self-efficacy and level of information, with direct and indirect effects (via persistence) on satisfaction, and no total or direct effects of GPA and mathematical skills, but an indirect effect of GPA on satisfaction. Thus, psychology students’ satisfaction substantially depends on study-relevant characteristics and less on skills. An enhancement of students’ self-efficacy beliefs and comprehensive information for those who are interested in the subject might help to increase satisfaction and thus success.
Keywords
- level of information, persistence, psychology students, self-efficacy beliefs, Study satisfaction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Education
- Psychology(all)
- General Psychology
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In: Psychology Learning and Teaching, Vol. 21, No. 1, 03.2022, p. 19-36.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Determinants of Psychology Students’ Study Satisfaction
AU - Bebermeier, Sarah
AU - Austerschmidt, Kim L.
AU - Nussbeck, Fridtjof W.
PY - 2022/3
Y1 - 2022/3
N2 - Understanding characteristics that contribute to psychology students’ academic success is important to better support them during their studies. Referring to person–environment fit theory, we examined effects of study-relevant characteristics (self-efficacy beliefs, self-assessed level of information about the study program) on subjective criteria of success (persistence with the choice of study subject, later study satisfaction) and controlled for effects of grade point average (GPA) and mathematical skills. We present a longitudinal survey study including five cohorts of first-year students (total N = 854). Mediation models (N = 254) revealed that self-efficacy and level of information at study entry predicted students’ persistence at the end of the first semester, which predicted satisfaction at the end of the second semester. In the presumed overall model we found total effects of self-efficacy and level of information, with direct and indirect effects (via persistence) on satisfaction, and no total or direct effects of GPA and mathematical skills, but an indirect effect of GPA on satisfaction. Thus, psychology students’ satisfaction substantially depends on study-relevant characteristics and less on skills. An enhancement of students’ self-efficacy beliefs and comprehensive information for those who are interested in the subject might help to increase satisfaction and thus success.
AB - Understanding characteristics that contribute to psychology students’ academic success is important to better support them during their studies. Referring to person–environment fit theory, we examined effects of study-relevant characteristics (self-efficacy beliefs, self-assessed level of information about the study program) on subjective criteria of success (persistence with the choice of study subject, later study satisfaction) and controlled for effects of grade point average (GPA) and mathematical skills. We present a longitudinal survey study including five cohorts of first-year students (total N = 854). Mediation models (N = 254) revealed that self-efficacy and level of information at study entry predicted students’ persistence at the end of the first semester, which predicted satisfaction at the end of the second semester. In the presumed overall model we found total effects of self-efficacy and level of information, with direct and indirect effects (via persistence) on satisfaction, and no total or direct effects of GPA and mathematical skills, but an indirect effect of GPA on satisfaction. Thus, psychology students’ satisfaction substantially depends on study-relevant characteristics and less on skills. An enhancement of students’ self-efficacy beliefs and comprehensive information for those who are interested in the subject might help to increase satisfaction and thus success.
KW - level of information
KW - persistence
KW - psychology students
KW - self-efficacy beliefs
KW - Study satisfaction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101821739&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1475725720985223
DO - 10.1177/1475725720985223
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85101821739
VL - 21
SP - 19
EP - 36
JO - Psychology Learning and Teaching
JF - Psychology Learning and Teaching
SN - 1475-7257
IS - 1
ER -