Investigating the Mediating Role of Academic Self-efficacy in the Relationship between Success Factors and Student Achievement Motivation

Abstract

Purpose: Educational systems are based on the education and training of the future generation of the society, and students have a central role in this system, and the existence of social support from families, the government, the education system, and organizations. And other inputs are required for their growth. In this regard, psychologists and teachers consider motivation as one of the key concepts used to explain different levels of performance. The main cause of behavior is motivation and it can be defined as the driving force of human activities and the factor of his learning. Also, this concept can be used to explain the difference between students who have the same aptitude for learning, but their academic progress is different. From the point of view of psychologists, motivation is an internal process that activates, directs and maintains behavior over time, and motivation has been divided into two categories: "internal" and "external". The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of academic self-efficacy in the relationship between success factors and student achievement motivation.Methodology: This was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population of the present study included all 11th grade female students in Kermanshah in the academic year 2018-19. From this population, 400 people were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data collection tools were the Student's Academic Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Jink and Morgan (1999), Waz & Isaacson (2008), Schumer's Epistemological Beliefs (1990), The Basic Psychological Needs of the Guardian et al. (2000), and Progress Motivation. Were Hermans (1987). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling statistical method in SPSS24 and Amos24 software.Findings: The results showed that the fit of the measurement model and the structural model of the research were confirmed. The results showed that epistemological beliefs, successful academic identity and basic psychological needs had a direct and significant effect on academic self-efficacy and achievement motivation and academic self-efficacy on achievement motivation. Finally, basic needs have a positive effect on successful academic identity and significance of 95% confidence level (P <0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, students who have suffered from academic failure and their motivation for progress and success has a declining trend can be used by using psychological counseling to improve academic identity, epistemological beliefs and basic psychological needs. He intervened and provided the ground for their academic progress. The results of this research can also lead to proper planning in order to adopt appropriate school strategies to increase the motivation of students' progress and consequently reduce academic decline and reluctance.