Developing a Structural Model of Academic Engagement Based on Academic Self-Regulation and Academic Buoyancy: The Mediating Role of Epistemological Beliefs in Students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61838/

Keywords:

academic engagement, academic self-regulation, academic buoyancy, epistemological beliefs, structural equation modeling, secondary school students

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to develop and test a structural model of academic engagement based on academic self-regulation and academic buoyancy, with the mediating role of epistemological beliefs among secondary school students.

Methods and Materials: This applied study used a quantitative, descriptive-correlational design based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all male students enrolled in the second period of high school in Gorgan, Iran, during the 2024–25 academic year. A sample of 350 students was selected through multistage cluster random sampling. Data were collected using the Academic Engagement Questionnaire, Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire, Academic Buoyancy Scale, and Schommer Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling through SPSS and AMOS.

Findings: The results showed that academic self-regulation had a positive and significant direct effect on academic engagement (β = .67, p = .001). Academic buoyancy also had a significant direct effect on academic engagement (β = .27, p = .001). In addition, epistemological beliefs significantly predicted academic engagement (β = .14, p = .001). The indirect effect of academic self-regulation on academic engagement through epistemological beliefs was significant (β = .69, p = .001). Moreover, the indirect effect of academic buoyancy on academic engagement through epistemological beliefs was significant (β = .56, p = .001). The model showed acceptable fit indices, including CMIN/DF = 1.32, RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .03, CFI = .92, GFI = .91, and NFI = .98.

Conclusion: Overall, the model explained 64% of the variance in academic engagement. These findings highlight the importance of self-regulated learning, academic buoyancy, and epistemological beliefs in promoting students’ academic engagement.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abbasi, M., Dargahi, S., Pirani, Z., & Bonyadi, F. (2015). The Role of Procrastination and Motivational Self-Regulation in Predicting Students' Academic Engagement. Iranian Journal of Medical Education, 15(1), 160-169.

Ahrari, E., Alipour, F., Mosleh, S. G., & Sheikh-Alizadeh, S. (2023). The Diagnostic Role of Academic Self-Regulation Components and Cognitive Flexibility in Distinguishing Students with High and Low Academic Performance. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 11(4), 74-88.

Bozan, K., Gaskin, J., & Stoner, C. (2024). Student Engagement in the HyFlex and Online Classrooms: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 29(1), 509-536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-023-09661-x

Fredricks, J. A., Blumenfeld, P. C., & Paris, A. H. (2004). School Engagement: Potential of the Concept, State of the Evidence. Review of Educational Research, 74(1), 59-109. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074001059

Fu, J., Li, X., & Yi, F. (2024). The Influence of Motivation Climate on University Student Engagement in Distance Education during the Pandemic: Moderating Role of Self-Regulation. Psychology in the Schools, 61(5), 2148-2159. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23158

Ghadampour, E., Gharehveisi, S., & Soleimani, M. (2023). The Relationship between Perception of Classroom Environment and Academic Buoyancy: The Mediating Role of School Bonding. Journal of Education, 39(1), 173-188.

Golfam, M., Hosseinian, S., & Abdollahi, A. (2024). The Mediating Role of Compassion in the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Well-Being among Adolescent Girls. Rooyesh-e-Ravanshenasi Journal, 13(5), 23-32.

Guo, J., Hu, X., Marsh, H. W., & Pekrun, R. (2022). Relations of Epistemic Beliefs with Motivation, Achievement, and Aspirations in Science: Generalizability across 72 Societies. Journal of Educational Psychology, 114(4), 734-751. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000660

Hofer, B. K. (2016). Epistemic Cognition as a Psychological Construct: Advancements and Challenges. In Handbook of Epistemic Cognition (pp. 19-38). Routledge.

Huang, C. L., Wu, C., & Yang, S. C. (2023). How Students View Online Knowledge: Epistemic Beliefs, Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Misconduct. Computers & Education, 200, 104796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2023.104796

Khodashahi, F. (2025). The Relationship Between Basic Psychological Needs and Goal Orientation with Pupils' Academic Buoyancy. Recent Innovations in Psychology, 2(1), -. https://doi.org/10.22034/rip.2024.464404.1040

Khosro-Javid, M. (2002). An Investigation of the Reliability and Construct Validity of the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale among Adolescents Tarbiat Modares University].

Kline, R. B. (2016). Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling (4th ed.). Guilford Press.

Kline, R. B. (2023). Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling (5th ed.). Guilford Press.

Liu, Y. (2025). Psychological Resources for Academic Buoyancy: The Roles of Growth Mindset and Emotional Intelligence in Chinese University Students. Frontiers in psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1580929

Martin, A. J., & Marsh, H. W. (2006). Academic Resilience and Its Psychological and Educational Correlates: A Construct Validity Approach. Psychology in the Schools, 43(3), 267-281. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.20149

Martin, A. J., & Marsh, H. W. (2008). Academic Buoyancy: Towards an Understanding of Students' Everyday Academic Resilience. Journal of School Psychology, 46(1), 53-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2007.01.002

Nachtigall, V., & Firstein, A. (2024). Exploring the Impact of Authentic Learning Activities on School Students' Epistemic Beliefs in the Social Sciences and Humanities. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 39(4), 3351-3379. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-023-00773-7

Nieto Carracedo, A., Gómez-Iñiguez, C., Tamayo, L. A., & Igartua Perosanz, J. J. (2024). Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement Relationship: Emotional Well-Being, Motivation, and Learning Strategies as Mediating Factors. Psicología educativa, 30(2), 67-74. https://doi.org/10.5093/psed2024a7

Putwain, D. W., & Wood, P. (2023). Riding the Bumps in Mathematics Learning: Relations between Academic Buoyancy, Engagement, and Achievement. Learning and Instruction, 83, 101691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2022.101691

Tammeh, B., Dortaj, F., Seadatee Shamir, A., & Farokhi, N. (2025). Developing a Structural Model for Academic Buoyancy based on Motivational Factors and Mediator Roles of Grit, Mental Toughness, and Control. Educational Psychology, 20(74), 7-32. https://journals.atu.ac.ir/article_18473.html

Tortosa Martínez, B. M., Pérez-Fuentes, M. D. C., & Molero Jurado, M. D. M. (2023). Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship between Resilience and Academic Engagement in Adolescents: Differences between Men and Women. Psychology research and behavior management, 16, 2721-2733. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S421622

Wang, H., Sun, Y., Zhao, X., Wang, W., & Xue, J. (2024). Enhancing Academic Engagement through Students' Perceptions of Teacher Expectations: The Mediating Role of Intentional Self-Regulation in Middle School. Frontiers in psychology, 15, 1456334. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1456334

Wang, H. H., Hong, Z. R., She, H. C., Smith, T. J., Fielding, J., & Lin, H. S. (2022). The Role of Structured Inquiry, Open Inquiry, and Epistemological Beliefs in Developing Secondary Students' Scientific and Mathematical Literacies. International Journal of Stem Education, 9(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-022-00329-z

Xiao, G., & Liu, H. (2025). Intrapersonal Strengths and Interpersonal Support: Predicting Academic Buoyancy Through Psychological Capital and Growth Mindset. Frontiers in psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1584343

Zarei-Bideskan, N., Keramati, H., & Arabzadeh, M. (2023). Structural Relationships among Epistemic Emotions, Epistemological Beliefs, and Mathematics Motivation in Students. Journal of Health and Education in Early Childhood, 3(1), 36-45.

Zimmerman, B. J. (2023). Dimensions of Academic Self-Regulation: A Conceptual Framework for Education. In Self-Regulation of Learning and Performance (pp. 3-21). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203763353-1

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2026-07-10

How to Cite

Bayyenat, B., Akbari, H., & Shariatnia, K. (2026). Developing a Structural Model of Academic Engagement Based on Academic Self-Regulation and Academic Buoyancy: The Mediating Role of Epistemological Beliefs in Students. Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS), 7(7), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.61838/