Welcome to Francis Academic Press

Frontiers in Educational Research, 2023, 6(12); doi: 10.25236/FER.2023.061221.

The impact of interpersonal relationships on students' learning engagement - the mediating role of self-affirmation

Author(s)

Lingfan Li, Jiamei Yu, Yanpu Zhang

Corresponding Author:
Lingfan Li
Affiliation(s)

College of Education, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China

Abstract

In order to explore the influence of interpersonal relationship on primary school students' learning engagement, this study examined the mediating role of self-affirmation. The sample was taken from a part of grade 4-6 students (n=596) in a super primary school in Yunnan Province, using the questionnaire survey method. The results show that self-affirmation has an independent intermediary between parent-child relationship, teacher-student relationship, peer relationship and primary school students' learning engagement, respectively. In the specific interpersonal relationship mediation path, teacher-student relationship and peer relationship are greater than parent-child relationship, and peer relationship is greater than teacher-student relationship. Interpersonal relationship may promote the development of individual internal resources, and then affect their learning engagement.

Keywords

Parent child relationship; Teacher student relationship; Peer relationship; Self-affirmation; Learning engagement

Cite This Paper

Lingfan Li, Jiamei Yu, Yanpu Zhang. The impact of interpersonal relationships on students' learning engagement - the mediating role of self-affirmation. Frontiers in Educational Research (2023) Vol. 6, Issue 12: 111-118. https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2023.061221.

References

[1] Candia C, Oyarzún M, Landaeta V, et al. Reciprocity heightens academic performance in elementary school students [J]. Heliyon, 2022, 8(12): e11916.

[2] Tan Liping, Li Qing, Guo Cheng. The impact of teacher-student relationship on learning engagement of left behind children: a moderated mediation model [J]. Psychological and Behavioral Research, 2022-20 (06): 782-789 

[3] Wang Yunfeng, Feng Wei. Main progress in research on parent-child relationship [J]. China Special Education, 2006 (7): 77-83

[4] Hughes J N, Luo W, Kwok O M, et al. Teacher-student support, effortful engagement, and achievement: A 3-year longitudinal study [J]. Journal of educational psychology, 2008, 100(1): 1.

[5] Harris P S, Harris P R, Miles E. Self-affirmation improves performance on tasks related to executive functioning[J]. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2017, 70: 281-285. 

[6] Ryan R M, Deci E L. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being [J]. American psychologist, 2000, 55(1): 68.

[7] Miserandino M. Children who do well in school: Individual differences in perceived competence and autonomy in above-average children [J]. Journal of educational psychology, 1996, 88(2): 203. 

[8] Chen S, Boucher H C. Relational selves as self-affirmational resources [J]. Journal of Research in Personality, 2008, 42(3): 716-733.

[9] Harris P R, Griffin D W, Napper L E, et al. Individual differences in self-affirmation: Distinguishing self-affirmation from positive self-regard [J]. Self- and Identity, 2019, 18(6): 589-630.

[10] Cohen G L, Sherman D K. The psychology of change: Self-affirmation and social psychological intervention [J]. Annual review of psychology, 2014, 65: 333-371.

[11] Borman G D, Grigg J, Rozek C S, et al. Self-affirmation effects are produced by school context, student engagement with the intervention, and time: Lessons from a district-wide implementation [J]. Psychological Science, 2018, 29(11): 1773-1784.

[12] Wang Zhaoxuan, Zhang Yaqing, He Kewei, Yuan Li. The impact of rural teachers' perceived school atmosphere on their job satisfaction: the mediating role of teachers' leadership and self-efficacy [J]. Research on Teacher Education, 2020, 32 (06): 84-90+98

[13] Wei Yunhua. A study on the influence of school factors on the development of self-esteem in young children [J]. Psychological Development and Education, 1998, (02): 12-16  

[14] Zhang Jintao, Liu Qinxue, Deng Linyuan, Fang Xiaoyi, Liu Chaoying, Lan Jing. Parent-child relationship and internet addiction in adolescents: the mediating role of loneliness [J]. Psychological Development and Education, 2011, 27 (06): 641-647

[15] Rosenberg M. Conceiving the self [M]. Basic Books, New York. 1979: 318-318.

[16] Fang Laitan, Shi Kan, Zhang Fenghua. Study on the reliability and validity of the Chinese learning engagement scale [J]. Chinese Journal of clinical psychology, 2008, 16 (6): 618-620   

[17] Zhou Hao, Long Lirong. Statistical testing and control methods for common method bias [J]. Progress in Psychological Science, 2004 (6): 942-950

[18] Fan W, Williams C M. The effects of parental involvement on students’ academic self‐efficacy, engagement and intrinsic motivation [J]. Educational psychology, 2010, 30(1): 53-74.

[19] Berndt T J., & Keefe K. Friends’ influence on adolescents’ adjustment to school. [J]. Child Development, 1995, 66(5): 1312–1329.

[20] Jelas Z M, Azman N, Zulnaidi H, et al. Learning support and academic achievement among Malaysian adolescents: The mediating role of student engagement[J]. Learning Environments Research, 2016, 19: 221-240.

[21] Quin D. Longitudinal and contextual associations between teacher–student relationships and student engagement: A systematic review [J]. Review of Educational Research, 2017, 87(2): 345-387.

[22] Ryan R M, Deci E L. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being [J]. American psychologist, 2000, 55(1): 68.