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

ANTONIO GONZALEZ FERNANDEZ; PAOLA VERONICA PAOLONI

The Spanish Journal of Psychology

Cambridge University Press, Universidad Complutense de Madrid y Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid

Lugar: Madrid; Año: 2014 vol. 17 p. 1 - 10

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 (R 2 = .39) and disaffection (R 2= .24), and were progressively more adaptive the higher the autonomy; self-determination, behavioral engagement, and disaffection predicted performance (R 2 = .43); engagement and disaffection partially mediated the relationship from external regulation (â = ?.097; p < .002; Confidence Interval = ?.177, ?.051), identified regulation (â = .109; p < .006; CI = .054, .165), and intrinsic motivation (â = .139; p < .002; CI = .086, .206) to performance. The implications of these findings for current theory and educational intervention are discussed.