scholarly journals Perfectionism, Depression, Anxiety, and Academic Performance in Premedical Students

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. e96-e104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina Sevlever ◽  
Kenneth G. Rice

This study examined differences in perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and academic performance between premedical (N = 104) and non-premedical (N = 76) undergraduate students. Results indicated that premedical students did not differ significantly from non-premedical students in perfectionistic self-criticism, personal standards perfectionism, depression, or anxiety. Perfectionistic high standards were not correlated with depression or anxiety for either group. Self-critical perfectionism was positively correlated with depression and anxiety, with comparable effect sizes, for both groups of students. Premedical students and non-premedical students drastically differed in their reported academic performance (GPA). For premedical students, PS perfectionism was related to higher GPA, however PS perfectionism in non-premedical students had a negligible effect in increasing GPA. The implications of these results for interventions and future research are discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-200
Author(s):  
Tashi Dendup ◽  
Sangay Wangmo ◽  
Ugyen Yangchen

Academic performance disparities among the gender of students are the cause of concern. Numerous explanations for academic performance disparities, especially in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Arts subjects between male and female students, are established in many countries. However, similar studies in Bhutan, especially at the tertiary education level, are scant. Therefore, this study mainly assessed i) students’ perception of STEM and Arts subjects, ii) compared male and female academic performance in STEM and Arts subjects, and iii) studied students' perception of the factors affecting their academic performance. Data were collected from 265 students of four constituent colleges (two Science and Arts colleges each) of the Royal University of Bhutan using semi-structured questionnaires. A multistage sampling (comprising a mixture of purposive and random) was employed. The research used a quantitative approach with descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square, t-tests, and binary logistic regressions). The result showed no significant association between students’ gender and their choice of subjects. At Science colleges, female students outperformed male students. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the performance of male and female students at Arts Colleges. Overall, females (71.63 ± 6.35) outperform male (69.57 ± 7.80) students. Hence, there are no stereotypes in STEM and Arts subjects among Bhutanese undergraduate students. However, future research could include parents and lecturers to gather their perspectives on STEM and Arts subjects. Variables, including study hours, communication skills, and Bhutanese Educational Policies, should also be thoroughly investigated as factors affecting students' academic performance


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. Rice ◽  
Callie J. Bair ◽  
Jennifer R. Castro ◽  
Benjamin N. Cohen ◽  
Camille A. Hood

Quantitative and qualitative analysis is used in this article to explore the meaning of perfectionism. The defining feature of perfectionism appears to be high personal standards. The distinction between having high standards and the affective, intrapersonal, and interpersonal responses to living up to those standards distinguish adaptive from maladaptive perfectionists. Adaptive perfectionists seem to be less distressed when high standards are not achieved whereas maladaptive perfectionists experience considerable distress. Individual interviews with perfectionists and non-perfectionists refined the meaning of perfectionism as one thatgenerallyencompasses elements of distress andtypicallyemphasizes the desire to perform well. Other typical features of perfectionism also emerged and yielded several implications for psychotherapy and future research.


2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aitao Lu ◽  
Yi Feng ◽  
Zuwei Yu ◽  
Haiping Tian ◽  
Xiuxiu Hong ◽  
...  

We investigated the mediating effects of anxiety and mind wandering in the relationship between stereotype threat and academic performance, testing our multiple mediation model with 5,000 bootstrap samples. The participants were 76 female undergraduate students at South China Normal University. Results showed that both anxiety and mind wandering independently mediated the relationship between stereotype threat and the women's mathematics performance. These findings underscore the importance of integrating anxiety and mind wandering to understand how stereotype threat impacts academic performance. Suggestions for future research are offered.


10.28945/4246 ◽  
2019 ◽  

[This Proceedings paper was revised and published in the 2019 issue of the Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice, Volume 18.] Aim/Purpose: The study examined types of errors made by novice programmers in different Java concepts with students of different ability levels in programming as well as the perceived causes of such errors. Background: To improve code writing and debugging skills, efforts have been made to taxonomize programming errors and their causes. However, most of the studies employed omnibus approaches, i.e. without consideration of different programing concepts and ability levels of the trainee programmers. Such concepts and ability specific errors identification and classifications are needed to advance appropriate intervention strategy. Methodology: A sequential exploratory mixed method design was adopted. The sample was an intact class of 124 Computer Science and Engineering undergraduate students grouped into three achievement levels based on first semester performance in a Java programming course. The submitted codes in the course of second semester exercises were analyzed for possible errors, categorized and grouped across achievement level. The resulting data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as Pearson product correlation coefficient. Qualitative analyses through interviews and focused group discussion (FGD) were also employed to identify reasons for the committed errors. Contribution:The study provides a useful concept-based and achievement level specific error log for the teaching of Java programming for beginners. Findings: The results identified 598 errors with Missing symbols (33%) and Invalid symbols (12%) constituting the highest and least committed errors respec-tively. Method and Classes concept houses the highest number of errors (36%) followed by Other Object Concepts (34%), Decision Making (29%), and Looping (10%). Similar error types were found across ability levels. A significant relationship was found between missing symbols and each of Invalid symbols and Inappropriate Naming. Errors made in Methods and Classes were also found to significantly predict that of Other Object concepts. Recommendations for Practitioners: To promote better classroom practice in the teaching of Java programming, findings for the study suggests instructions to students should be based on achievement level. In addition to this, learning Java programming should be done with an unintelligent editor. Recommendations for Researchers: Research could examine logic or semantic errors among novice programmers as the errors analyzed in this study focus mainly on syntactic ones. Impact on Society: The digital age is code-driven, thus error analysis in programming instruction will enhance programming ability, which will ultimately transform novice programmers into experts, particularly in developing countries where most of the software in use is imported. Future Research: Researchers could look beyond novice or beginner programmers as codes written by intermediate or even advanced programmers are still not often completely error free.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby L. Levine ◽  
Marina Milyavskaya

Transitioning to university may be especially difficult for students who expect perfection from themselves. Self-critical perfectionism has consistently been linked to poor mental health. The current study compares a diathesis-stress and a downward spiral model, to determine why self-critical perfectionism is detrimental for mental health during this transition. First-year students (N=658) were recruited prior to beginning university in August and contacted again in October, January, and April. Participants completed measures on perfectionism, stress and depressive symptoms. Evidence was found for a downward spiral model with self-critical perfectionism, but not a diathesis-stress model. Students higher in self-critical perfectionism were more likely to experience increased stress and depressive symptoms in a circular and additive manner. Conversely, students higher in personal standards perfectionism experienced less stress and subsequent depressive symptoms. This research provides a theoretical model for why self-critical perfectionism is related to poor mental health outcomes which become sustained over time.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby L. Levine ◽  
Isabelle Green-Demers ◽  
Marina Milyavskaya ◽  
Kaitlyn M. Werner

The present study examined the influence of personal standards and self-critical perfectionism on depressive and anxiety symptoms over the academic year. High-school students (N=174) were surveyed in the late Fall and early Spring, assessing perfectionism in the Fall and mental health across the year in both the Fall and Spring. Path modelling was used to examine whether self-critical and personal standards perfectionism were related to changes in mental health across the school year. Controlling for mental health at the start of the year, self-critical perfectionism predicted an increase in depressive symptoms over time, whereas personal standards perfectionism was unrelated to changes in mental health. Results support that self-critical perfectionism is detrimental to mental health in adolescents, suggesting that future interventions should focus on reducing self-critical cognitive biases in youth.


NASPA Journal ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan A Kolek

The purpose of this study was to explore recreational prescription drug use among undergraduate students. Although anecdotal accounts on this subject abound, empirical research is extremely limited. Data from a survey of a random sample of 734 students at a large public research university in the Northeast were examined. Results indicate that a substantial proportion of students reported having used prescription drugs for recreational purposes in the year prior to survey administration. Recreational prescription drug use was positively associated with the use of other substances including alcohol. Recreational prescription drug users were also more likely than other drug users to report negative consequences as a result of their drug use. Implications for future research and for student affairs are discussed.


Author(s):  
TMGP Duarte ◽  
AM Lopes ◽  
LFM da Silva

Understanding how the academic performance of first year undergraduate students is influenced by home, personal and institutional factors is fundamental to delineate policies able to mitigate failure. This paper investigates possible correlations between the academic performance of students at the end of high school with their achievements at the end of first year university. Data for students in the Integrated Master in Mechanical Engineering (MIEM) program within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto are analysed for the period 2016/2017 to 2019/2020. The students’ performance is measured by two metrics and the students are structured as a whole and by groups, according to their gender (Male/Female), type of secondary school (Public/Private), living place (Away/Home) and the rank of MIEM in their application list of options (Option 1/Option 2–6). The information is organized statistically and possible correlations between the data are investigated. The analysis reveals limited correlation between the two metrics, meaning that all students may exhibit good or poor results at the end of first year in MIEM, independent of their status at entrance. An unanticipated pattern is exhibited for the group Option 2–6, since it shows that, despite entering into MIEM without top application marks, the students in this group can perform as well as the others. This behavior is consistent over time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 592-616
Author(s):  
David R. Pillow ◽  
Meghan A. Crabtree ◽  
Willie J. Hale ◽  
Sally Kordab ◽  
Betsy Hoza

Introduction: Stimulant medication is effective in treating Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder, and by removing barriers to success, may enhance perceptions of authenticity (i.e., feeling like one's true, core, autonomous self) among those receiving medication. In contrast, it is also possible that stimulant medications undermine perceptions of authenticity. Methods: To examine these two possibilities, 64 undergraduate students with a history of ADHD and medication usage wrote a narrative about a time when they felt either: least authentic while taking medication, most authentic while taking medication, least authentic while unmedicated, or most authentic while unmedicated. Participants then completed retrospective assessments concerning that experience. Results: Supporting the medication enhancement possibility, participants reported greater need satisfaction and more positive mood states when recalling states in which they were most like their true selves on medication than when off—especially when reporting on their academic selves. No differences were found on a state measure of prescriptive authenticity. Discussion: Results are discussed with respect to linkages to the literature on attributions and stimulant medications. Limitations and future research design possibilities are discussed as more research is needed regarding managing stimulant medication and authentic identities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 375
Author(s):  
Abdullah Alabdulkarem ◽  
Mohammad Alhojailan ◽  
Saad Alabdulkarim

Academic success in undergraduate programs is indicative of potential achievements for graduates in their professional careers. The reasons for an outstanding performance are complex and influenced by several principles and factors. An example of this complexity is that success factors might change depending on the culture of students. The relationship of 32 factors with the reported academic performance (RAP) was investigated by using a survey distributed over four key universities in Saudi Arabia. A total of 3565 Saudi undergraduate students completed the survey. The examined factors included those related to upbringing, K-12 education, and structured and unstructured activities. Statistical results validate that many factors had a significant relationship with the RAP. Among those factors, paternal’s education level and work field, type of intermediate and high schools, and the attendance of prayers in mosques were significantly associated with the reported performance. This study provides important insights into the potential root causes of success so that they can be targeted by educators and policy makers in the effort to enhance education outcomes.


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