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Autonomy support and achievement goals as predictors of perceived school performance and life satisfaction in the transition between lower and upper secondary school

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Abstract

A self-determination theory perspective on motivation assumes that basic need support is a prerequisite for motivation, achievement, and well-being in several domains of life. In the present cross-sectional study, a representative sample of 2.594 Norwegian students in their final year of lower secondary education and their first year of upper secondary education responded to a survey measuring the students’ perceptions of their teachers’ autonomy support, the students’ personal achievement goals, perceived school performance, and life satisfaction. The purpose was to investigate the structural relation between these variables, as well as grade level and gender differences. The results showed that all achievement goals (mastery, performance approach and performance avoidance) were positively predicted by autonomy support. Perceived school performance and life satisfaction were predicted by autonomy support and achievement goals, but there were some grade and gender specific relations. Furthermore, students in their first year of upper secondary education had a higher mean level of all motivational variables. Finally, mastery goals were more important for girls than boys, whereas performance goals were more important for boys than girls. In conclusion, both academic achievement (perceived school performance) and life satisfaction may be considered as important indicators of adjustment to life, and they are related to the students’ perception of teachers’ autonomy support as well as the students’ own motivation for learning. However, the mean level of these variables is partly accounted for by grade level and gender.

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Correspondence to Åge Diseth.

Appendices

Appendix

1.1 Learning Climate Questionnaire (LCQ)—short version

Original items:

  1. 1.

    I feel that my instructor provides me with choices and options.

  2. 2.

    I feel understood by my instructor.

  3. 3.

    My instructor conveyed confidence in my ability to do well in the course.

  4. 4.

    My instructor encouraged me to ask questions.

  5. 5.

    My instructor listens to how I would like to do things.

  6. 6.

    My instructor tries to understand how I see things before suggesting a new way to do things.

Adapted items:

  1. 1.

    I feel that my teachers provide me with choices and options.

  2. 2.

    I feel understood by my teachers.

  3. 3.

    My teachers show their confidence in my ability to do well in the subject.

  4. 4.

    My teachers encourage me to ask questions.

  5. 5.

    My teachers listen to how I would like to do things.

  6. 6.

    My teachers try to understand how I see things before suggesting a new way to do things.

Achievement goals

1.1 Mastery

  1. 1.

    One of my goals is to master a lot of new skills this year.

  2. 2.

    It’s important to me that I thoroughly understand my class work.

  3. 3.

    It’s important to me that I improve my skills this year.

1.2 Performance approach

  1. 1.

    One of my goals is to show others that I’m good at my class work.

  2. 2.

    One of my goals is to show others that class work is easy for me.

  3. 3.

    One of my goals is to look smart in comparison to the other students in my class.

1.3 Performance avoidance

  1. 1.

    It’s important to me that I don’t look stupid in class.

  2. 2.

    One of my goals is to keep others from thinking I’m not smart in class.

  3. 3.

    It’s important to me that my teacher doesn’t think that I know less than others in class.

  4. 4.

    One of my goals in class is to avoid looking like I have trouble doing the work.

1.4 Life satisfaction

  1. 1.

    Like way things are going for me

  2. 2.

    My life is going well

  3. 3.

    My life is as should be

  4. 4.

    I would like to change many things (omitted)

  5. 5.

    Wish different life (omitted)

  6. 6.

    I have a good life

  7. 7.

    I feel good about what’s happening

  8. 8.

    I have what I want

  9. 9.

    My life is better than for most kids

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Diseth, Å., Samdal, O. Autonomy support and achievement goals as predictors of perceived school performance and life satisfaction in the transition between lower and upper secondary school. Soc Psychol Educ 17, 269–291 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-013-9244-4

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