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Adolescent Perceptions of Competence, School Belonging, and Autonomy in Healthy Students and Those with a Chronic Medical Condition: Relations and Implications for Academic Attainment

Kirkpatrick, Kathryn M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385991716

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Policy and Leadership.
The purpose of this study was to explore how the consequences of diagnosis and treatment of chronic illness as a child are related to motivational processes in adolescence and academic outcomes in young adulthood. Self-determination theory (Connell, 1990; Connell & Wellborn, 1991; Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000; Ryan & Deci, 2000, 2002; Skinner & Edge, 2002; Skinner, Wellborn, & Connell, 1990) suggests that every individual has basic needs for autonomy, relatedness/belonging, and competence. These needs are universal, despite health or psychosocial status, but may be harder to meet for some individuals than others. The needs must be met to promote motivated behavior. Data for this study was drawn from the restricted data set of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health; Harris, et al, 2009). Measures of autonomy, belonging, and competence were developed from items in the Add Health data. Levels of perceived autonomy, school belonging, and competence during adolescence were compared for students with chronic health conditions and healthy peers. Further, health status was examined as a possible moderator of perceived autonomy, school belonging, and competence in relation to academic outcomes. Diagnosis status alone was also considered as a predictor of long-term outcomes of on-time high school completion (by age 19) and educational attainment in young adulthood. A structural measurement model was established, and then used to assess mean differences in the constructs between healthy and chronically ill participants. Logistic regression modeling was used to examine the hypothesis about differences in rates of on-time high school completion. A continuation ratio ordinal regression model was used to assess differences in levels of young adult academic attainment. Health variables were significant predictors for levels of perceived autonomy, school belonging, and competence. Students with health concerns reported lower levels of autonomy, belonging, and competence. Diagnosis status served as a significant moderator for belonging when assessing on-time completion of high school. Students with chronic illness experienced an increase of 63% in the odds of completing high school on time with a one-unit increase in belonging. Health status served as a significant moderator of belonging when assessing long term academic attainment. Students with low health scores benefited most from increased perceptions of belonging. Diagnosis status served as a moderator for autonomy in relation to on-time high school completion. An increase in autonomy was related to higher odds of on-time high school completion for healthy students but that was not the case for students with chronic illness. An important contribution of this study is the added understanding it provides about the universal need for a perception of school belonging, a need that may be even more critical for students with health issues. Teachers, administrators, and other adults in the lives of adolescents can support positive academic outcomes for students with chronic health conditions by promoting opportunities for enhanced perceptions of belonging.
Eric Anderman, PhD (Advisor)
149 p.
Educational Psychology
adolescents, chronic health conditions, academic attainment, motivation, school belonging

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kirkpatrick, K. M. (2013). Adolescent Perceptions of Competence, School Belonging, and Autonomy in Healthy Students and Those with a Chronic Medical Condition: Relations and Implications for Academic Attainment [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385991716

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kirkpatrick, Kathryn. Adolescent Perceptions of Competence, School Belonging, and Autonomy in Healthy Students and Those with a Chronic Medical Condition: Relations and Implications for Academic Attainment. 2013. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385991716.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kirkpatrick, Kathryn. "Adolescent Perceptions of Competence, School Belonging, and Autonomy in Healthy Students and Those with a Chronic Medical Condition: Relations and Implications for Academic Attainment." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385991716

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1385991716
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.