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Self-Determination, Behavioral Engagement, Disaffection, and Academic Performance: a Mediational Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2014

Antonio González  and
Paola Verónica Paoloni
Antonio González*
Affiliation:
Universidad de Vigo (Spain)
Paola Verónica Paoloni
Affiliation:
Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (Argentina)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Antonio González. Universidad de Vigo. Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación. As Lagoas. 32004. Ourense. (Spain). Tel: +34–988387110. Fax: +34–88387159. E-mail: aglez@uvigo.es
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Abstract

The present study examined the role of behavioral engagement and disaffection as mediators between self-determination and academic performance. Participants were 545 secondary students (53.4% girls) aged 12 to 19 years. Variables were assessed in the Spanish language classroom over a nine-month period. Students estimated their self-determination, and their teachers assessed student engagement, disaffection, and performance. Structural equation models corroborated the hypotheses: the types of self-determination differentially predicted engagement (R2 = .39) and disaffection (R2 = .24), and were progressively more adaptive the higher the autonomy; self-determination, behavioral engagement, and disaffection predicted performance (R2 = .43); engagement and disaffection partially mediated the relationship from external regulation (β = –.097; p < .002; Confidence Interval = –.177, –.051), identified regulation (β = .109; p < .006; CI = .054, .165), and intrinsic motivation (β = .139; p < .002; CI = .086, .206) to performance. The implications of these findings for current theory and educational intervention are discussed.

Keywords

self-determinationbehavioral engagement/disaffectionacademic performancesecondary educationSpanish language
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 17 , 2014 , E82
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2014 

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