Factors Associated with Sport Students’ Length of Study and Degree Grade: A 6-Year Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the relationships of sport students’ length of study and the degree grade with psychological factors measured on the onset of their studies in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly. Participants were 179 freshmen (91 males, 88 females) in the academic years of 2013-14 and 2014-15. Measures included among others the psychological variables of self-worth, optimism and pessimism, extraversion, emotional stability, motivation, amotivation, and general self-efficacy. Six years later data regarding students’ time of graduation and the grade of their degree were collected. Ninety eight out of 179 students graduated after four years of study, 63 after five years of study, 8 after six years of study while 10 students have not graduated yet. Students who graduated within five years reported significantly higher scores in intrinsic motivation, self-determination, and life satisfaction compared to students who graduated in the sixth year or they have not graduated yet. Students’ grade of their degree was positively correlated with intrinsic motivation, self-determination, and agreeableness. Grade of degree was negatively correlated with graduated time. These results provided useful insights regarding psychological factors associated with sport students’ graduate time and the grade of their degree and could be considered in the process of improving the quality of studies provided by this department.