scholarly journals Validating strengths use and deficit correction behaviour scales for South African first-year students

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Mostert ◽  
Bianca Theron ◽  
Leon T. De Beer
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
University Students ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
South African ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Strengths Use ◽  
Proactive Behaviour ◽  
First Year University

Orientation: It is well known that the first year at university can be very challenging and stressful for students. While some students mainly depend on the university to assist them through this time, other students want to proactively manage this stressful period themselves by focusing on their strengths and developing in their areas of weakness. Two new scales measuring proactive strengths use and deficit correction behaviour have recently been developed for employees. However, the psychometric properties of these new scales have not yet been tested on first-year students in the South African context.Research purpose: To examine the validity, measurement invariance and reliability of the proactive strengths use and deficit correction scales for South African first-year university students.Motivation for the study: In order to cope in the demanding university environment, first-year university students need to develop and apply proactive strategies, including using their strengths and developing in their areas of weaknesses. Several studies have indicated that proactive behaviour, specifically strengths use and deficit correction behaviour, lead to favourable outcomes such as higher engagement, lower burnout and more life satisfaction. Therefore, it is important to validate scales that measure these constructs for first-year students.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional research approach was used. A sample of South African first-year university students aged between 18 and 23 years (N = 776) was collected. The two scales were tested for their factor structure, measurement invariance, reliability, and convergent and criterion validity.Main findings: A two-factor structure was found for the strengths use and deficit correction behaviour scales. Measurement invariance testing showed that the two scales were interpreted similarly by participants from different campuses and language groups. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (α ≥ 0.70) indicated that both scales were reliable. In addition, the scales demonstrated convergent validity (comparing them with a general strengths use and proactive behaviour scale). Strengths use and deficit correction behaviour both predicted student burnout, student engagement and life satisfaction, with varying strengths of the relationships for strengths use and deficit correction behaviour.Practical implications: Strengths use and deficit correction behaviour could enable students to manage study demands and enhance well-being. Students will experience favourable outcomes from proactively using strengths and developing their weaknesses, including reduced burnout and enhanced engagement and life satisfaction. Universities and lecturers can be informed, which allows them to develop support structures and provide students with opportunities to apply their strengths and develop thier deficits.Contribution/value-add: The present study adds to the limited research available on initiating proactive behaviour to use strengths and improve deficits for university students by validating two new scales. This could help in facilitating positive outcomes for first-year university students within the South African context.

scholarly journals Proactive behaviour towards strength use and deficit improvement, hope and efficacy as predictors of life satisfaction amongst first-year university students

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick W. Stander ◽  
Elsabe Diedericks ◽  
Karina Mostert ◽  
Leon T. De Beer
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
University Students ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Proactive Behaviour ◽  
Organisational Behaviour ◽  
Positive Organisational Behaviour ◽  
First Year University ◽  
The Relationship

Orientation: The orientation of this study is towards proactive behaviour towards strength use (PBSU) and proactive behaviour towards deficit improvement (PBDI) and their relationship with hope, efficacy and life satisfaction of first-year university students. Research purpose: To (1) determine whether PBSU and PBDI predict life satisfaction, (2) determine whether PBSU and PBDI predict hope and efficacy and (3) investigate a structural model where hope and efficacy mediate the relationship between PBSU and PBDI and life satisfaction. Motivation for the study: To validate the use of PBSU and PBDI as resources that will assist first-year university student to attain life satisfaction and to delineate the need for universities to incorporate interventions that promote PBSU and PBDI amongst these students. This supports the case for positive organisational behaviour. Research design, approach and method: A convenience sample of 566 first-year students from a university in Gauteng was used with a cross-sectional research design. Structural equation modelling was used to establish the validity of the measurement model, fit for the structural model and to test the mediating effects.Main findings: The results indicated that PBSU was a significant predictor of hope, efficacy and life satisfaction and that PBDI was a significant predictor of hope and efficacy. Hope mediated the relationship between PBSU, PBDI and life satisfaction. Efficacy mediated the relationship between PBSU and life satisfaction. Practical/managerial implications: Evidence suggests that PBSU was a predictor of life satisfaction. This was not the case with PBDI, which in fact negatively correlated with life satisfaction. Both PBSU and PBDI, however, predicted hope and efficacy. On a practical level this reveals that universities should, in line with positive organisational behaviour, introduce interventions that develop PBSU and PBDI amongst first-year students. It further suggests that, as is postulated by positive psychology, universities should focus more particularly on developing the ability of strength use amongst students, as opposed to deficit improvement. Contributions/value-add: This research proposes a strong case for the introduction of interventions that promote first-year university students’ ability for strength use, in particular, but also for deficit improvement, in line with positive organisational behaviour. Further, it validates for strength use as a stronger value proposition in achieving life satisfaction, supporting the philosophy of positive psychology.

scholarly journals SOCIAL SUPPORT, STRESS AND LIFE SATISFACTION OF THE FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN TRA VINH UNIVERSITY

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (42) ◽  
pp. 47-60
Author(s):  
Dung My Ho ◽  
Uyen Thi Phuong Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
University Students ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
First Year University

The objective of the study is to analyze the relationship between social support, stress and life satisfaction of first-year university students at Tra Vinh University. Research is conducted through two phases, preliminary qualitative research and formal quantitative research. With the convenient sampling method, 599 validsurvey forms were collected. Cronbach’s Alpha scale reliability testing method, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmation factor analysis (CFA) and linear structural model analysis (SEM) were used. The results showed that (1) all components of social support influence on the stress; (2) teacher and family support positively effect on first-year university students’ life satisfaction; (3) stress negatively effects on firstyear university students’ life satisfaction. Based on the results, policy implications are proposed to Tra Vinh University and related parties for providing timely support to students, contributing to reducing stress and improving life satisfaction of students.

scholarly journals Motor skills as a predictor of academic performance | La aptitud motriz como predictor del rendimiento académico

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (28) ◽  
pp. 57-64
Author(s):  
José Eduardo Molina Arriola ◽  
Victor Osiris Rodriguez Cervantes ◽  
Julio Cesar Lozano Flores ◽  
Luis Quintana Rivera ◽  
José Moncada Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
First Year ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Estudiantes Universitarios

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la asociación entre la aptitud motriz de estudiantes universitarios de primer ingreso y su desempeño académico en los dos periodos lectivos de inicio de la carrera de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación. Participaron 83 voluntarios (Hombres = 60, Mujeres = 23) de la Universidad Veracruzana, México. La aptitud motriz se evaluó con ocho pruebas y el rendimiento académico se midió con el promedio ponderado de dos periodos consecutivos. Los análisis de regresión múltiple mostraron que el salto sin carrera (modelo 1), y gimnasia y encestes de baloncesto (modelo 2) predicen el rendimiento académico. En conclusión, la aptitud motriz predice parcialmente el rendimiento académico en estudiantes de primer ingreso.AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the association between the motor skills of first-year university students and their academic performance in the two initial academic terms of the Physical Education, Sports and Recreation degree. Eighty-three volunteers participated (Men = 60, Women = 23) from the Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico. Motor skills were evaluated with eight tests and academic performance was measured with the weighted average of two consecutive terms. Multiple regression analyses showed that standing jumping (model 1), and gymnastics and effective basketball throws (model 2) predicted academic performance. In conclusion, motor skills partially predict academic performance in first-year students

scholarly journals Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Is Associated With Increased Meningococcal Carriage Acquisition Among First-year Students in 2 South African Universities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Meiring ◽  
Cheryl Cohen ◽  
Linda de Gouveia ◽  
Mignon du Plessis ◽  
Karistha Ganesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
University Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Relative Risk Ratio ◽  
First Year ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
South African Universities ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Carriage Prevalence

Abstract Background Invasive meningococcal disease clusters occur among university students and may reflect higher carriage prevalence among this population. We aimed to measure meningococcal carriage prevalence, acquisition, and risk factors among first-year university students in South Africa. Methods In summer–autumn 2017, after consenting to participate, we collected oropharyngeal swabs and questionnaires on carriage risk factors and tested students for HIV at 2 universities, during registration week (survey 1) and 6–8 weeks later (survey 2). Meningococci were detected by culture and polymerase chain reaction. Results We enrolled 2120 students at registration. Mean age was 18.5 years, 59% (1252/2120) were female and 0.8% (16/1984) had HIV. Seventy-eight percent of students returned for survey 2 (1655/2120). Among the cohort, carriage prevalence was 4.7% (77/1655) at registration, increasing to 7.9% (130/1655) at survey 2: 5.0% (83) acquired new carriage, 2.8% (47) had persistent carriage, 1.8% (30) cleared the initial carriage, and 90.3% (1495) remained carriage free. At both surveys, nongenogroupable meningococci predominated, followed by genogroups Y, B, W, and C. On multinomial analysis, risk factors for carriage acquisition included attending nightclubs (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1–4.0), having intimate kissing partners (aRRR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–2.9) and HIV (aRRR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.1–24.4). Conclusions Meningococcal carriage among first-year university students increased after 2 months. Sociobehavioral risk factors were associated with increased carriage for all analyses. HIV was associated with carriage acquisition. Until vaccination programs become mandatory in South African universities, data suggest that students with HIV could benefit most from meningococcal vaccination.

A Comparison of South African and International First-Year Students’ Counselling Needs and Preferred Counselling Sources

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lionel Nicholas ◽  
Maria Damianova ◽  
Mzamo Ntantiso
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
South African ◽  
First Year ◽  
African Students ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Learning Skill ◽  
Counselling Needs ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Personal Career ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

This study investigated the personal, career and learning skill needs of first-year university students, their preferred counselling sources, and compared South African and international students. Respondents completed a structured questionnaire (N = 567) with more than half reporting a moderate to high need for assistance with their concerns. Women had a significantly greater need for assistance with the bulk of listed concerns than men. International students had a significantly greater need for assistance than South African students and were particularly concerned about xenophobia. These results may assist administrators and counsellors to develop strategies to address identified student needs.

scholarly journals The ‘Double Transition’ for First-Year Students: Understanding the Impact of Covid-19 on South Africa’s First-Year University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-92
Author(s):  
Annsilla Nyar
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Student Transition ◽  
Double Transition ◽  
First Year University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Academic Cycle ◽  
Special Category ◽  
First Year Student

While all students are affected by the advent of the Covid‑19 pandemic, the first‑year student population remains a special category of vulnerability for higher education. This is on account of the way the Covid‑19 pandemic has disrupted their transition into university and complicated the nature of their entry into and through the formal academic cycle. This article uses the notion of a ‘double transition’ as a framework for positioning and locating the first‑year student transition within the context of the prevailing Covid‑19 pandemic. ‘Double transition’ refers to an additional transition coupled with that of the first‑year transition, with regard to the extraordinary situation of students navigating their entry into the unfamiliar terrain of academia while simultaneously navigating the Covid‑19 pandemic. The article provides a circumscribed summary of the effects of Covid‑19 on university students and looks to describe and explain the nature and shape of first‑year transitions in relation to the transition necessitated by the Covid‑19 pandemic. It concludes with four key strategies for supporting first‑year students as the pandemic continues.

scholarly journals University students’ social interaction type specifics in the learning process

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 00093
Author(s):  
Olga Rodina ◽  
Liubov Gladkova ◽  
Olga Selivanova
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
University Students ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
First Year ◽  
Interaction Type ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Conflict Situations ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
First Year University

The author highlights the importance of human social interaction in training university students.The paper presents an overview of the conceptual aspects of social interaction in scientific research.Based on theoretical approaches to the definition of social interaction, the paper defines “social interaction” in the context of the classroom activities.The aim of the paper is to investigate and define the first-year university students’ interaction specifics in the learning process.The experiment involved 118 students from the Institute of Geology and Oil and Gas Production.On the basis of K.Thomas-Kilmann’s test questionnaire focused on determining a leading interaction type in conflict situations, social interaction type specifics of the first-year students of technical specialties were determined and described.

First-Year Students' Self-Perceived Effects of Music on Two Tasks

2022 ◽  
pp. 119-134
Author(s):  
Rachel Hall Buck ◽  
Erica Payne
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Assessment Tasks ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Study Halls

This chapter presents results from a study with first-year university students completing online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the study is to further understand how the same genre of music might impact the completion of two very different assessment tasks. Students in the study participated in two different virtual “study halls” in order to study for their semester final assessments. While further research is needed, results do highlight the need for students to be aware of which type of music to listen to while studying and specifically what kind of cognitive task they are completing.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document