Effects of interest-major congruence, motivation, and academic performance on timely degree attainment.
Using longitudinal student data from 15 four-year (n = 3,072) and 13 (n = 788) two-year postsecondary institutions, the authors tested the effects of interest-major congruence, motivation, and 1st-year academic performance on timely degree completion. Findings suggest that interest-major congruence has a direct effect on timely degree completion at both institutional settings and that motivation has indirect effects (via 1st-year academic performance). The total effects of both interest-major congruence and motivation on timely degree completion underscore the importance of both constructs in understanding student adjustment and postsecondary success. Implications for theory and counseling practice are discussed.
Research Division, ACT, Inc., P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52246-0168, USA.
Jeff
J
Allen
Steve
S
Robbins
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013332:Student Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult