Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Open Access Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences
Advisor 1
Susan Amato-Henderson
Advisor 2
Lorelle Meadows
Committee Member 1
Kelly Steelman
Committee Member 2
Caryn Heldt
Abstract
The intersection of stress, persistence and success in college-aged students is progressively gaining attention in research. Analyzing how students succeed and what factors contribute to their success, failure, and ultimately the completion of their degree, is vitally important for educators and administrators in higher education to understand. Historically utilized factors such as grade point average (GPA), standardized test scores (college admissions and Advance Placement (AP) exams), and previous academic achievement (pre-requisite courses) are not the only predictors of academic performance. This study aimed to quantify contributions and inter-relationships of student perceptions, coping style, stress, mental toughness (MT), and other potential factors that correlate with academic performance. Thirty-five Physics I students provided baseline and day-of final exam self-reported assessments of such factors. Exploratory analysis, utilizing multiple regressions, suggests that self-reported stress is a reliable predictor of academic performance on a Physics I final exam and additional constructs such as MT, self-compassion, stress appraisals, coping strategies and grit contribute as well. Implications for the findings of this study can inform higher education’s approach to admissions, retention, and stress mitigation of college students.
Recommended Citation
Morris, Darnishia L., "PREDICTORS OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: THE ROLES OF SELF-COMPASSION, COPING, MENTAL TOUGHNESS, GRIT, AND SELF-REPORTED STRESSORS ON PHYSICS FINAL EXAM PERFORMANCE", Open Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2021.