Longitudinal modelling of academic buoyancy and motivation: do the '5Cs' hold up over time?
BACKGROUND
Academic buoyancy is students' ability to successfully deal with setbacks and challenges that are typical of academic life. The present study extends previous preliminary cross-sectional work that tentatively identified five motivational predictors of academic buoyancy - referred to as the '5Cs' of academic buoyancy: confidence (self-efficacy), coordination (planning), commitment (persistence), composure (low anxiety), and control (low uncertain control).


OBJECTIVE
The study seeks to more clearly ascertain the effects of motivation (and its mediating role) on academic buoyancy over and above prior academic buoyancy.


METHODS
The study comprised N=1,866 high school students from six schools.


METHODS
Longitudinal data were collected (1 year apart) and the hypothesized model exploring longitudinal effects was tested using structural equation modelling.


RESULTS
After controlling for prior variance in academic buoyancy, the 5Cs were significant predictors of subsequent academic buoyancy. Furthermore, over and above the direct effects of prior academic buoyancy on subsequent academic buoyancy, the 5Cs significantly mediated this relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
The study concludes with a discussion of the substantive, applied, and methodological implications for researchers and practitioners seeking to investigate and address the academic buoyancy of students who require the capacity to effectively function in an ever-challenging school environment.
Martin
Andrew J
AJ
Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, Australia. andrew.martin@sydney.edu.au
Colmar
Susan H
SH
Davey
Louise A
LA
Marsh
Herbert W
HW
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*