Research on the impact of the socio-educational environment on the academic performance of college students: the mediating role of study motivation

Weiqin Wang; Lu Han; Qingjiao Lu; Xingjun Lv; Yu Liu; Dongxuan Wang

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1289064

Research on the impact of the socio-educational environment on the academic performance of college students: the mediating role of study motivation

Front Psychol. 2024 Jan 5:14:1289064. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1289064. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Weiqin Wang¹, Lu Han², Qingjiao Lu³, Xingjun Lv¹, Yu Liu¹, Dongxuan Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Huanghua, Hebei, China.
² College of Economics and Management, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China.
³ Department of Basic Courses, Hebei Agricultural University, Huanghua, Hebei, China.

Abstract

Background: Enhancing the academic performance (AP) of college students can contribute to the overall scientific literacy among this population, thereby fostering societal progress.

Objective: The study investigates the correlation between college students' AP and the socio-educational environment (SEE, including family, roommates, and teachers), study motivation (SM, including self-efficacy and study behaviors). Based on the research findings, recommendations are offered to students, educators, and school administrators.

Settings: Utilizing a stratified sampling approach, data was collected by selecting a sample of 330 first-year computer science students from a specific local university in Hebei Province, China.

Methods: Data will be collected through a hierarchical sampling method. Using correlation analysis, difference analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) as data analysis methods. The data passed reliability and validity analysis (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.88, KMO = 0.88, χ²/df = 1.49RMSEA = 0.04).

Results: The independent sample T-test results showed that female students had higher academic performance than male students (p < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in academic performance between students from single parent or orphan families and students from normal families (p = 0.14), from non urban areas and from urban areas (p = 0.67). The results of the mediating effect analysis indicate that SM exerts complete mediation in the association between SEE and AP, with a mediating effect value of 0.18.

Conclusion: The educational disparity between urban and rural areas in China is gradually narrowing. Support policies for students from impoverished families in higher education institutions are showing initial effectiveness. The conducive learning environment and educational atmosphere for students can indirectly influence their psychological state, thus impacting their academic performance during their university years.

Keywords: academic performance; data analysis; questionnaire; socio-educational environment; study motivation.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported in part by the 2023 Social Science Development Research Project in Hebei Province (grant no. 20230205078), and by the Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Hebei Province of China (grant no. 2022GJJG092).