Presenting the students' academic achievement causal model based on goal orientation

Introduction: Several factors play a role in academic achievement, individual's excellence and capability to do actions and tasks that the learner is in charge of in learning areas. The main goal of this study was to present academic achievement causal model based on the dimensions of goal orientation and learning approaches among the students of Medical Science and Dentistry courses in Guilan University of Medical Sciences in 2013

Methods: This study is based on a cross-sectional model. The participants included 175 first and second year students of the Medical and Dentistry schools in Guilan University of Medical Sciences selected by random cluster sampling [121 persons [69%] Medical Basic Science students and 54 [30.9%] Dentistry students]. The measurement tool included the Goal Orientation Scale of Bouffard and Study Process Questionnaire of Biggs and the students' Grade Point Average. The study data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equations modeling. SPSS 14 and Amos were used to analyze the data

Results: The results indicated a significant relationship between goal orientation and learning strategies [P<0.05]. In addition, the results revealed that a significant relationship exists between learning strategies [Deep Learning [r=0.37, P<0.05], Surface Learning [r=-0.21, P<0.05]], and academic achievement. The suggested model of research is fitted to the data of the research

Conclusion: Results showed that the students' academic achievement model fits with experimental data, so it can be used in learning principles which lead to students' achievement in learning

Applying an educational-participatory program based on the PRECEDE model for promoting self-esteem and mental health of students in Iran

The students' vulnerability to different problems can have an impact on their mental health. Regarding the lack of evidence on the effectiveness of interventional programs based on health education planning models in this area in developing countries, an educational-participatory program based on the PRECEDE model was used, to promote the medical science students' self-esteem and mental health status, in Iran. In this experimental study, 154 students from the universities of medical sciences in the north east of Iran were selected by stratified random sampling method. Then, they were randomly assigned to two groups of case and control. The questionnaires, including the enabling, reinforcing, and predisposing factors, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and the GHQ-28 were used for data collection. Then, an intervention plan, including focus group discussions and training of selected life skills, based on the PRECEDE model, was conducted for the case group. The predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors, and the self-esteem and mental health of the students showed a significant difference between the case and control groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was a correlation between mental health and knowledge [P =0.008], between self-esteem and knowledge [P =0.02], self-esteem and attitude [P =0.01], and mental health and attitude [P = 0.03]. Health promotion planning by using life skills training based on the PRECEDE model can result in participation and empowerment, in order to promote the self-esteem and mental health of the students