Disentangling Students’ Dropout Intentions
The Role of Person-Environment Fit and Academic Motivation
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13660780 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Audrey Tesi (0000-0001-9887-5494, University of Pisa, corresponding author), Daniela Di Santo (0000-0002-1438-5832, University of Pisa), Antonio Aiello (0000-0003-0112-3267, University of Pisa) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 332941251340315-332941251340315 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychological Reports (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00332941251340315 |
| PMID | 40392699 |
| OpenAlex | W4410537726 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 53 |
Drawing on person-environment fit and self-determination theory, this study examined the relationships among person-environment (P-E) fit, autonomous motivation, and dropout intentions in a sample of university students. P-E fit refers to the perceived congruence between individuals' personal values and those shared within their environment, while autonomous motivation reflects engagement in academic activities driven more by intrinsic satisfaction and enjoyment. In particular, we conducted a cross-lagged panel study to disentangle the directionality of the associations between the study variables and indirect effects. We enrolled 161 students from a university social work program who voluntarily completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered twice, with a six-month interval between administrations. The results showed that increases over time in both P-E fit and autonomous motivation significantly reduced dropout intentions. Analyses also revealed that autonomous motivation at the beginning of the first semester predicted P-E fit at the end of the semester; in contrast, P-E fit did not predict subsequent autonomous motivation, indicating a unidirectional influence. An analysis of the indirect effect revealed that the initial levels of autonomous motivation reduced dropout intentions at the end of the semester, mediated by P-E fit. These findings highlight that autonomous motivation contributes to the internalization of degree program values, thereby reducing dropout intentions
Autonomy · Congruence (geometry · Dropout (neural networks · Intrinsic motivation · Person–environment fit · Self-determination theory · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology
Introduction to Statistical Mediation Analysis
Self-perception
Optimal learning in optimal contexts
Psychological Attachment to the Group
Building a science of motivated persons
The convergent and discriminant validity of subjective fit perceptions.
Different fits satisfy different needs
The gender similarities hypothesis.
Consequences of Individuals' Fit at Work
Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior
The bright and dark side of autonomy
The impact of academic dropout at the University of Granada and proposals for prevention12
Student Motivation and Associated Outcomes
How people higher on social dominance orientation deal with hierarchy-attenuating institutions
Motivation in Educational Contexts
Person-Environment Fit and Self-Determination Theory
Self‐esteem and responses to success and failure
Academic Motivation of Students Experiencing Person-Environment Misfit in Social Work Educational Settings
The Role of a Restorative Resource in the Academic Context in Improving Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation and Flow within the Job Demands–Resources Model
Mental health and school dropout across educational levels and genders
Relationship between motivation instability and type of motivation level in University learning based on self-determination theory
The Relationships of Hope, Optimism, and Academic Motivation With GPA Among University Students in Hong Kong
Will I be happy in this major? Predicting intrinsic motivation and subjective well-being with prospective students’ well-being forecast and interest-major fit forecast
Self‐determination theory and work motivation
The path taken
Interaction Effects Based on Class Level in an Explanatory Model of College Student Dropout Syndrome
The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits
Interpersonal supports for basic psychological needs and their relations with motivation, well-being, and performance
Self-determination and persistence in a real-life setting
Goal striving, need satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being
Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling
Belonging Mediates Effects of Student-University Fit on Well-Being, Motivation, and Dropout Intention
Choose wisely
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |