Why are students with a higher level of grit more engaging in learning? The mediation effect of negotiable fate on the grit-student engagement relationship in higher education during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered learning and teaching approaches in higher education. Research concerning COVID-19 revealed inconsistent results on student engagement, which is a robust predictor of academic performance in higher education. This exploratory study examines the relationship between grit and student engagement in the pandemic through the mediating role of negotiable fate. Although previous research demonstrated that grit could positively predict student engagement, there have been inconsistent findings between the two sub-factors of grit: consistency of interest (grit-CI) and perseverance of effort (grit-PE). Besides, there is a lack of theoretical explanation of the mechanism between grit and engagement. The adaptation of negotiable fate seeks to provide one of the pathways of how grit would be associated with student engagement. To examine these hypotheses, the present study recruited 339 undergraduate students from two universities in Hong Kong to participate in an online survey. The results showed that grit, grit-PE, and negotiable fate positively correlate with student engagement, but the path of grit-CI did not reveal any significant results. After accounting for the mediating effect of negotiable fate, grit-PE still positively correlates with student engagement, suggesting a partial mediation model. This study provides empirical evidence that grit positively predicts student engagement with the mediation of negotiable fate. However, only grit-PE was positively associated with other variables, while grit-CI did not reveal any significant predictions. The present study (1) extends the understanding of the mechanism between grit and student engagement and (2) explores the mediating role of negotiable fate in this relationship in the higher education context. Theoretical and practical implications of this mediation model among grit, negotiable fate, and student engagement were discussed.

Ressources personnelles, sens des études, persévérance et épanouissement: une étude longitudinale implémentant un dispositif pédagogique innovant auprès dé jeunes étudiant es français-es en contexte de COVID-19

This study explores from a longitudinal perspective the nature of correlations, changes in mean scores, and interrelations between personal resources (career adaptability and use of psychological strengths) and other variables such as meaning of education, perseverance, and flourishing. The study is conducted as part of the implementation of a reflective teaching approach during the C0VID-19 pandemic crisis. The sample includes sixty students from a French university. Correlational analyses indicate a conservation of the positive nature of the relations between some of these variables, the appearance and disappearance of some positive effects over time. While the mean score for meaning tends to increase over time, the mean score for flourishing tends to decrease. Finally, we notice a prevalence of the interrelations between the two resources and flourishing. The potential contribution of the implemented framework is discussed. © 2022 Institut National d'Etude du Travail et d'Orientation Professionnelle. All rights reserved.

Learning challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown, motivation, and perseverance: a triadic model of Saudi students

This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the relationships between learning challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown, motivation, and perseverance in one statistical triadic model. Two hundred and thirty-eight Saudi students (undergraduates and graduates) studying different subjects from eight universities completed a structured questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used in the data analysis. The results revealed that the measurement model and the structural model fit the data well (CFI = 0.943;TLI = 0.918;RMSEA [90% confidence interval] = 0.059 [0.032–0.091];SRMR = 0.071). Learning challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown were positively linked to students' motivation and perseverance, and the latter two were also related positively–all the relationships were significant. The findings of this study could help policy makers activate e-learning and hybrid learning more successfully than before the pandemic and will help educators to improve their technology skills, which, in turn, will improve the learners' motivation and perseverance. © 2023 UCU.

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Metacognition and Emotional Intelligence of Natural Science Students

Introduction. This paper presents the results of an empirical study that compares the parameters of the metacognitive components and emotional intelligence (EI) of young people using cross-sectional surveys before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores, for the first time, the effects of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic using samples of natural science students. Methods. The sample was comprised of 551 second-year students at St. Petersburg State University, 260 of whom took part in the study in 2018–2019;98 respondents took part in the study in May 2020;114 respondents took part in the study in January 2021;79 respondents took part in the study in May 2021. The study used the following diagnostic tools: (a) the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire developed by D. V. Lyusin, (b) a short version of the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory modified by E. I. Perikova and V. M. Byzova, (c) the Differential Test of Reflectivity developed by D. A. Leontiev and E. N. Osin, and (d) the Self-organization of Activity Questionnaire developed by E. Yu. Mandrikova. Results. The study showed an increase in the scores of metacognitive awareness and metacognitive regulation, as well as a reduction in interpersonal EI in students during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to the pre-pandemic group. Students’ scores of purposefulness and intrapersonal EI increased significantly during the pandemic. However, the differences were only significant in some pandemic subgroups. The predictors contributing to the level of intrapersonal EI differed in the pre-pandemic and pandemic groups. Systemic reflection and purposefulness were significant predictors of the level of intrapersonal EI for the pre-pandemic group (explained 11 % of the variance). Systemic reflection, metacognitive knowledge, and perseverance were significant predictors of the level of intrapersonal EI for the pandemic group (explained 28 % of the variance). Discussion. The emerging transition from the classical form of learning to remote learning, in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, seems to lead to an improvement in metacognitive regulation and a decline in interpersonal EI in students of natural sciences. © 2022, Russian Psychological Society. All rights reserved.

The role of slack resources and managerial capabilities in early and late internationalization: a configurational approach

Internationalization requires a distinct set of managerial capabilities and company resources. Despite a call for examining the impact of cognitive capabilities on international entrepreneurship, only a few studies have attempted to do so. Since international entrepreneurship starts with opportunity recognition, attention should be paid to this first step in the internationalization process. However, the ability to recognize international entrepreneurial opportunity is not enough by itself, but rather it needs to be supported by other cognitive factors. COVID-19 has put specific pressure on entrepreneurs highlighting their ability to actively respond to changes and persist under uncertainty. This research aims to examine the difference in drivers of early and late internationalization and their impact on international performance by analyzing 50 Finnish small- and medium-sized enterprises via fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The results suggest two distinct configurations that are connected to early internationalization and one configuration that is connected to late internationalization.

Deconstructing Gendered vumilia (perseverance) Theology in times of the Gender-based Violence Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of gender-based violence (GBV) dramatically increased. While the Kenyan governmental bodies are held responsible for their inadequate response to this “national disaster of GBV”, the role of the Kenyan churches is hardly criticized. The churches neither spoke out against this prevalent injustice, nor did they openly support the victims of GBV. Furthermore, it could be argued that churches, through their patriarchal structures and cultural and doctrinal teachings, have contributed to this disaster. This article is written from a woman’s perspective and focused on the notion of vumilia, or perseverance, an important notion in the lived faith of women. Vumilia is the Kiswahili word for “persevere” or “endure.” It appears that a gendered vumilia theology applied to gender relations, prevents churches from adequately addressing gender-based violence. Unless and until this vumilia theology is deconstructed and balanced with a liberation theology, the church’s response to gender-based violence will be superficial and insufficient. In this article, the narrative method is used to bring about the ideas and experiences of women in two Kenyan churches, the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) and the African Israel Nineveh Church (AINC), related to vumilia and its cultural and theological underpinnings. The article discusses the teachings of vumilia theology in these churches and their effects on women who suffer from gender-based violence. The paper also traces the resistance of church women, indicating the contours of a woman-affirming Christ-centered theology and spirituality. © 2022. Journal of International Women''s Studies.All Rights Reserved

Predictors and correlates of Saudi nursing students' grit and positive thinking amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Academic success requires grit and positive thinking. However, research on Middle Eastern nursing students' grit and positive thinking is limited. This study investigated the demographic variables that correlate to and predict Saudi nursing students' grit and positive thinking. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design guided this study. We used the 12-item Short Grit Scale (Grit-S) and 8-item Positive Thinking Skills Scale (PTSS) to collect data from 338 nursing students. The Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis were utilized to analyze the data. Findings: Nursing students' Grit-S mean score is more significant than their PTSS score. The year level is inversely associated with Grit-S, while gender and Grit-S had a weak direct correlation. Regarding PTSS, only the year level was inversely correlated. Finally, both the year level and gender were significant predictors of Grit-S and PTSS. Discussion: Participants' responses to Grit-S and PTSS scores vary greatly depending on their demographics. The nursing students' grit and positive thinking did not develop as they progressed in the nursing program, which is viewed differently by each gender.

Resilient Attitudes and Fear of Contagion of COVID-19 in Secondary School Students in Peru and Mexico

Resilient attitudes in times of a COVID-19 pandemic have allowed children and adolescents to develop protective factors to continue developing adequately. This is evidenced in the current study, whose objective was to analyze the association between resilient attitudes and fear of contagion by COVID-19. The sample consisted of 282 high school students from two countries, Peru and Mexico: The ages ranged between 12 to 21 years of age for students from Peru and between 12 to 22 years of age for those from Mexico. Two questionnaires were used as measurement instruments, the (1993) Wagnild and Young resilience scale, which has 25 items, and the COVID-19 fear scale (FCV-19S) created by Ahorsu, Lin, Imani, Saffari, Griffiths. and Pakpour (2020). The results show that there is an association between resilient attitudes and fear of contagion by COVID 19. However, considering the results by country, in Peruvian students there is an association between the variables, while in the Mexican sample, there is no association. Regarding the association between the dimensions of resilience and fear of contagion by COVID-19 in Peruvian students, an association was found in three factors: equanimity, perseverance, and satisfaction;while in Mexican students only the self-confidence factor is associated with fear of contagion. It is concluded that, despite the fact that the students show high levels of resilience, Mexican students have less fear of contagion than their Peruvian counterparts, for which, probably culture, the information received about the pandemic, and their self-confidence, etc., may play an important role in this difference. © 2022, Universidad del Zulia. All rights reserved.

Teaching Computer Science and Computer Engineering During COVID-19 Lockdown at the Pakistani Universities

A study is conducted with 368 teachers teaching various undergraduate Computer Science and Computer Engineering courses in an under-developed country - Pakistan, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A teaching model is presented in this research, suggesting that the grit had played an important role in technology adoption for online teaching during the COVID-19. It is found that although the absence of technological support such as high speed Internet and consistent, robust and useful LMS, teachers were still adopting and using technologies such as Google Classroom, Zoom and WhatsApp groups for teaching the students in real-time or through recorded videos. This behavior is explained by the teacher's grit that has also motivated the adoption of online teaching related technologies. The lack of technology such as LMS does affect the user satisfaction, however, it didn't affect the usage behavior of the adoption and use of technology. The initial research model had components from non-cognitive learner characteristics, and from various popular technology usage and acceptance models such as an Information System success model, and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. A quantitative questionnaire survey is conducted to assess the proposed research model. The resultant research model had components only from non-cognitive learner characteristics and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. The data is analyzed using SEM PLS, K-means clustering and Decision Tree classification method.

COVID-19 Impact in Neurosurgery Residency: Grit During Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID) pandemic has presented a significant challenge to health care providers. Neurosurgical patients are often critically ill and at particularly high risk for COVID, and the pandemic has produced ever-shifting circumstances to allow their continued care. This study explores the psychologic impact of the pandemic on neurosurgical residents at a single institution. METHODS: Residents completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomology 30 (IDS-30), two validated surveys, before and during the pandemic. PSS scores range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicative of increased stress. IDS-30 ranges from 0 to 84 with higher scores indicating more severe levels of depression. Survey results were compared collectively among residents and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The surveys had 19 out of 28 total responders (68%). Mean score on the PSS was 16.1 prepandemic and 14.7 during the pandemic (P > 0.05). The mean score on the IDS-30 was 14.7 prepandemic and 12.0 during the pandemic (P > 0.05). Matching the survey questionnaire results by each resident revealed an average decrease of 2.3 and 2.4 for the PSS and IDS-30, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant changes in perceived stress or depressive symptoms among neurosurgical residents during the pandemic.

How Family's Support of Perseverance in Creative Efforts Influences the Originality of Children's Drawing During the Period of COVID-19 Pandemic?

This study points out that families' support of perseverance in creative efforts will increase children's originality of creative drawing through children's persistence in information searching. Data analysis based on 134 Chinese young children's creative drawings and survey supports the above hypothesis. Moreover, children's exposure to COVID-19 pandemic positively moderates the relationship between supporting perseverance and children's search persistence, such that high exposure to COVID-19 pandemic will increase the positive relationship between support of perseverance and search persistence. And children's prosocial motivation inhibits the influence of search persistence on originality. Contributions to the theory of children's creativity are discussed.