academic engagement

The transition from secondary school to higher education is a critical period that shapes students' academic engagement, social integration, and persistence. Despite increased access to higher education in South Africa, many first-year students enter university with expectations that differ substantially from their subsequent experiences, creating adjustment challenges. Guided by Tinto's Theory of Student Integration and Educational Transition Theory, this study explored first-year students' expectations. It examined how students perceived and experienced mismatches between these expectations and the realities of university life. The study adopted an interpretivist qualitative research paradigm and an exploratory descriptive design. Data were collected through three focus group discussions with 21 purposively selected first-year students at a comprehensive university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. They were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings revealed an expectation–reality mismatch in three areas: social integration and peer relationships, course selection and academic guidance, and academic workload alongside self-directed learning demands. Participants who identified as first-generation students described experiencing additional transition difficulties, which they associated with limited social and cultural capital, inadequate career guidance, and low digital literacy. Participants also associated persistent socioeconomic inequality with these difficulties. The study concludes that expectation–reality mismatch is a psychologically meaningful mechanism through which structural inequality translates into experiences of uncertainty, diminished belonging, and academic disengagement during the first year. Strengthened orientation, mentoring, academic advising, and digital literacy support are recommended to improve student adjustment, engagement, and retention.

Introduction As noted in successive OECD assessment reports, global education systems are shifting from standardized assessments toward prioritizing students’ psychological wellbeing and autonomous agency. However, cross-cultural quantitative evidence regarding how these macro-policy transformations relate to students’ micro-psychological perceptions and academic behaviors remains limited. Methods Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, this study analyzed data from 1,309 university students in Shanghai, China, and Kazakhstan. Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were employed to examine the structural associations and measurement invariance among Perceived Educational Transformation (PET), Intrinsic Motivation (IM), and Learning Engagement (LE). Results The three-factor model demonstrated strict measurement invariance across both samples. SEM findings indicated that IM partially mediated a significant indirect associative mechanism the positive structural relationship between PET and LE (indirect effect = 0.098, 95% CI [0.076, 0.122]). This statistical mediating pathway was consistent across both cohorts, showing only trivial inter-group differences (all parameter Δ p > 0.05). Baseline comparisons revealed the Shanghai sample reported higher PET, yet IM and LE levels exhibited no significant quantitative differences between the two groups (Cohen’s d < 0.10). Discussion Higher perceptions of educational transformation do not linearly correspond to enhanced motivation, potentially constrained by unobserved systemic evaluation pressures. The findings suggest that autonomy-supportive educational environments are consistently associated with higher Intrinsic Motivation and academic engagement, regardless of differentiated macro-educational contexts. However, due to the cross-sectional design, these findings represent structural associations rather than directional causality.

This study examined post-pandemic blended learning setups and academic engagement among senior high school students at St. Dominic College of Asia (SDCA). A descriptive, quantitative, non-experimental design was used with 100 respondents: 50 Grade 11 students and 50 Grade 12 students. A structured questionnaire gathered information about respondents’ demographic characteristics, perceptions of blended learning setups, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and social engagement, and challenges encountered in blended learning. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U tests, one-way analysis of variance, Spearman’s rank-order correlation, and multiple regression were reported in the thesis. Asynchronous online learning received the highest mean among the three setup indicators (M = 3.87, SD = 0.58), while unreliable internet connectivity was the highest-rated challenge (M = 4.34, SD = 0.65). Reported correlations between blended learning setup scores and the four engagement dimensions were strong and positive (ρ = .898–.906, all p < .001). The thesis also reported statistically significant group differences across demographic categories. However, the regression model’s dependent-variable specification and several descriptive and inferential statistics require confirmation against the original dataset and statistical output before the results can be treated as definitive. The findings point to the importance of accessible learning materials, reliable connectivity, purposeful student interaction, and ongoing monitoring of engagement. A Blended Learning Engagement Framework is proposed to guide institutional assessment, planning, implementation, and continuous improvement.

This study explored the academic validation experiences of internal migrant college students and their implications for proposed psychosocial support activities. Specifically, it examined forms of academic validation, their influence on psychosocial well-being and academic persistence, and challenges in obtaining institutional support. Using a qualitative research design and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the study examined interview accounts from eight internal migrant college students at Cavite State University–Main Campus during the academic year 2025–2026. Findings revealed that students experienced academic validation through faculty recognition, constructive feedback, peer encouragement, and academic achievements. Such experiences fostered motivation, confidence, belonging, and continued academic engagement. Conversely, limited recognition contributed to discouragement, self-doubt, and emotional distress. Participants also described homesickness, social isolation, language barriers, unfamiliar cultural practices, communication difficulties, and hesitation in seeking academic or emotional assistance. Despite these challenges, personal resilience, supportive classmates, and determination helped students adjust and persist in their studies. Based on the findings, the study proposed the BRIDGE Program, emphasizing peer mentoring, support circles, cultural integration, wellness activities, academic assistance, counseling, and opportunities for emotional expression. The study concluded that academic validation and accessible psychosocial support are important to the adjustment and educational persistence of internal migrant students. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-Being; Goal 4, Quality Education; and Goal 10, Reduced Inequalities. Its potential sustainability contribution lies in guiding inclusive institutional support practices that strengthen student welfare, social belonging, and equitable participation in higher education. These practices may also encourage more responsive and supportive campus communities.

Academic motivation in higher education constitutes a multidimensional construct shaped by structural conditions that influence students’ academic performance, persistence, and educational trajectories. In contexts characterized by persistent social inequalities, understanding how socioeconomic status (SES) configures motivational processes is essential for the development of university policies aimed at equity and educational sustainability. The purpose of this study was to conduct a critical synthesis of international evidence on the mechanisms through which socioeconomic factors influences academic motivation in higher education during the period period 2017–2020 and 2022–2025. A systematic review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to ensure methodological rigor, transparency, and replicability. The literature search was conducted in the Scopus database using structured Boolean search equations. After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33 empirical studies were selected for the final analysis. The results of the systematic synthesis reveal sustained growth in scientific output and progressive geographic diversification of the field. Cross-sectional quantitative studies predominate, employing regression models and structural analyses to examine the relationship between parental educational level, financial support, and intrinsic motivation or academic engagement. In addition, several studies incorporate mediating variables such as self-efficacy, institutional integration, and sense of belonging, revealing non-linear explanatory configurations. Overall, the evidence indicates that the influence of socioeconomic status operates through both direct and indirect mechanisms linked to cultural capital and institutional resources. This review identifies key theoretical convergences as well as recurrent methodological limitations within the field. Finally, the findings underscore the need for longitudinal studies and multilevel approaches to deepen the understanding of motivational inequalities in higher education.

انگیزش تحصیلی در آموزش عالی یک سازه چندبعدی است که توسط شرایط ساختاری شکل می‌گیرد و بر عملکرد تحصیلی، پایداری و مسیرهای آموزشی دانشجویان تأثیر می‌گذارد. در زمینه‌هایی که با نابرابری‌های اجتماعی پایدار مشخص می‌شوند، درک نحوه پیکربندی فرآیندهای انگیزشی توسط وضعیت اجتماعی‌اقتصادی (SES) برای توسعه سیاست‌های دانشگاهی با هدف عدالت و پایداری آموزشی ضروری است. هدف این مطالعه انجام سنتز انتقادی شواهد بین‌المللی درباره سازوکارهایی بود که از طریق آن‌ها عوامل اجتماعی‌اقتصادی بر انگیزش تحصیلی در آموزش عالی طی دوره‌های ۲۰۱۷–۲۰۲۰ و ۲۰۲۲–۲۰۲۵ تأثیر می‌گذارند. مرور نظام‌مند مطابق با دستورالعمل‌های PRISMA به منظور تضمین دقت روش‌شناختی، شفافیت و قابلیت تکرار انجام شد. جستجوی منابع در پایگاه داده Scopus با استفاده از معادلات جستجوی بولی ساختاریافته صورت گرفت. پس از اعمال معیارهای از پیش تعیین‌شده برای ورود و خروج مطالعات، ۳۳ مطالعه تجربی برای تحلیل نهایی انتخاب شدند. نتایج سنتز نظام‌مند نشان‌دهنده رشد پایدار تولیدات علمی و تنوع جغرافیایی تدریجی در این حوزه است. مطالعات کمی مقطعی غالب هستند که با به‌کارگیری مدل‌های رگرسیون و تحلیل‌های ساختاری به بررسی رابطه بین سطح تحصیلات والدین، حمایت مالی و انگیزش درونی یا درگیری تحصیلی می‌پردازند. علاوه بر این، چندین مطالعه متغیرهای میانجی مانند خودکارآمدی، یکپارچگی نهادی و احساس تعلق را وارد مدل کرده‌اند که پیکربندی‌های تبیینی غیرخطی را آشکار می‌سازد. به طور کلی، شواهد نشان می‌دهد که تأثیر وضعیت اجتماعی‌اقتصادی از طریق سازوکارهای مستقیم و غیرمستقیم مرتبط با سرمایه فرهنگی و منابع نهادی عمل می‌کند. این مرور همگرایی‌های نظری کلیدی و همچنین محدودیت‌های روش‌شناختی تکرارشونده در این حوزه را شناسایی می‌کند. در نهایت، یافته‌ها بر ضرورت مطالعات طولی و رویکردهای چندسطحی برای تعمیق درک نابرابری‌های انگیزشی در آموزش عالی تأکید می‌کنند.

Introduction Psychological well-being and intrinsic motivation play an important role in academic engagement, professional identity development, and commitment to the teaching profession. However, limited evidence is available on how employment status, reasons for enrolment, and early vocational orientation are jointly associated with these constructs among students in initial teacher education. This study examined psychological well-being and intrinsic motivation among postgraduate students enrolled in Master's Degree programmes in Secondary Teacher Education. Methods A total of 239 postgraduate students enrolled at the University of Castilla-La Mancha and Villanueva University (Spain) participated in the study. Participants completed Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scale and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Independent-samples t-tests were conducted to examine differences in psychological well-being and intrinsic motivation according to employment status, reasons for enrolment, and early teaching vocation. Results No statistically significant differences in psychological well-being were observed according to employment status or reason for enrolment. Students who were not actively seeking employment reported significantly higher scores on Interest/Enjoyment and Perceived Choice, as well as a higher overall IMI score, than those actively seeking employment, whereas no significant differences were found for Value/Usefulness. Reason for enrolment was also associated with specific aspects of intrinsic motivation: participants who enrolled for reasons other than employment-related motives reported significantly higher Perceived Choice and overall IMI scores, while no significant differences emerged for Interest/Enjoyment or Value/Usefulness. The most consistent differences were associated with early teaching vocation. Students who had identified teaching as a professional goal from the beginning of their university studies reported significantly higher scores across all IMI dimensions ( p < .001) and a significantly higher score for Purpose in Life ( p < .001). Discussion These findings highlight early vocational orientation as a particularly relevant factor in understanding motivational engagement and professional purpose during initial teacher education. They also underscore the importance of considering both vocational and contextual factors when designing teacher education experiences that support professional identity development and sustained engagement with the teaching profession.

مقدمه: بهزیستی روان‌شناختی و انگیزش درونی نقش مهمی در درگیری تحصیلی، توسعه هویت حرفه‌ای و تعهد به حرفه معلمی ایفا می‌کنند. با این حال، شواهد محدودی درباره چگونگی ارتباط وضعیت اشتغال، دلایل ثبت‌نام و گرایش شغلی اولیه با این سازه‌ها در میان دانشجویان آموزش ابتدایی معلمان وجود دارد. این پژوهش به بررسی بهزیستی روان‌شناختی و انگیزش درونی در میان دانشجویان کارشناسی ارشد ثبت‌نام‌شده در برنامه‌های آموزش معلمان متوسطه پرداخت. روش‌ها: در مجموع ۲۳۹ دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد از دانشگاه Castilla-La Mancha و دانشگاه Villanueva (اسپانیا) در این پژوهش شرکت کردند. شرکت‌کنندگان مقیاس بهزیستی روان‌شناختی Ryff و پرسشنامه انگیزش درونی (IMI) را تکمیل کردند. برای بررسی تفاوت‌های بهزیستی روان‌شناختی و انگیزش درونی بر اساس وضعیت اشتغال، دلایل ثبت‌نام و گرایش شغلی اولیه، آزمون t مستقل اجرا شد. نتایج: تفاوت معنادار آماری در بهزیستی روان‌شناختی بر اساس وضعیت اشتغال یا دلیل ثبت‌نام مشاهده نشد. دانشجویانی که به طور فعال به دنبال اشتغال نبودند، نمرات بالاتری را در ابعاد علاقه/لذت و انتخاب ادراک‌شده و همچنین نمره کلی IMI نسبت به افرادی که به طور فعال به دنبال اشتغال بودند، گزارش کردند، در حالی که برای ارزش/مفید بودن تفاوت معناداری یافت نشد. دلیل ثبت‌نام نیز با جنبه‌های خاصی از انگیزش درونی مرتبط بود: شرکت‌کنندگانی که به دلایلی غیر از انگیزه‌های مرتبط با اشتغال ثبت‌نام کرده بودند، نمرات بالاتری در انتخاب ادراک‌شده و نمره کلی IMI گزارش کردند، در حالی که برای علاقه/لذت یا ارزش/مفید بودن تفاوت معناداری مشاهده نشد. پایدارترین تفاوت‌ها با گرایش شغلی اولیه مرتبط بود. دانشجویانی که از ابتدای تحصیل دانشگاهی خود، معلمی را به عنوان هدف حرفه‌ای شناسایی کرده بودند، در تمامی ابعاد IMI (p < .001) و همچنین در بعد هدفمندی در زندگی (p < .001) نمرات معنادار بالاتری کسب کردند. بحث: این یافته‌ها گرایش شغلی اولیه را به عنوان عاملی به‌ویژه مهم در فهم درگیری انگیزشی و هدف حرفه‌ای در طول آموزش ابتدایی معلمان برجسته می‌کند. همچنین اهمیت توجه به عوامل شغلی و زمینه‌ای را در طراحی تجارب آموزش معلمان که از توسعه هویت حرفه‌ای و درگیری پایدار با حرفه معلمی حمایت می‌کند، مورد تأکید قرار می‌دهد.