JESSOP_Journal_of_Further_and_Higher_Education_SEP_2019.pdf (982.69 kB)
Explaining the negative impact of financial concern on undergraduates’ academic outcomes: evidence for stress and belonging as mediators
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 19:25 authored by Matthew Reid, Donna JessopDonna Jessop, Eleanor MilesEleanor MilesPoorer financial circumstances among undergraduate students predict worse academic outcomes, yet there is a lack of research examining mediators. Accordingly, the present research aimed to identify such mediating variables. In Study 1, cross-sectional data were collected from UK undergraduates (N = 516). Controlling for background variables, path analysis indicated that stress, sense of belonging at university, working memory, and self-control mediated the negative relationship between financial concern and academic performance. In Study 2 an independent sample (N = 2794) was used to successfully validate the respecified model developed in Study 1. Additionally, longitudinal data were collected from UK undergraduates (N = 453) at three time points in an academic year. Controlling for background variables, financial concern predicted subsequent changes in intrinsic academic motivation, as mediated by changes in stress and sense of belonging at university. Together, this provides consistent evidence for stress and belonging as mediators of the impact of finances on academic outcomes. Our findings afford a more complete understanding of how financial concern may affect students’ experience at university, highlight potential negative consequences of funding systems that place a financial burden on students, and could serve to inform interventions aimed at mitigating the negative effects of financial concern.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Journal of Further and Higher EducationISSN
0309-877XPublisher
Taylor & FrancisExternal DOI
Issue
9Volume
44Page range
1157-1187Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2019-10-23First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-04-02First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-10-21Usage metrics
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