Short-Term Dynamics: The Transition of First-Year Undergraduates’ Motivational Profiles Over a Semester (Poster 29)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Wednesday 4:20 p.m.
  In Poster Session: Motivation, Emotion, and Engagement Across Contexts

Abstract

Based on the situated expectancy-value theory and a person-centered perspective, we explored the stability and shifts in motivational profiles (self-efficacy, values, costs) of first-year undergraduates during their first semester. Latent profile and transition analyses of 232 Chinese undergraduates identified three consistent motivational profiles across three time points: Burdened (25-32%), Average-all (51-52%), and Positively motivated (17-24%). Approximately 54% of students remained in the same profile throughout. While more students shifted to less favorable profiles in the first half of the semester, transitions to more favorable profiles increased in the second half. Gender did not significantly affect transitions. These findings provide insights for targeting specific periods and groups in motivational interventions.

Authors

• Linjia Zhang, East China Normal University

• Xinyi Shi, McGill University

• Yi Jiang, East China Normal University