The Role of Academic and Individual Factors in the Academic Engagement of Dental Students in Babol, Northern Iran: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Background: Academic engagement in medical education, particularly within the field of dentistry, is a topic of considerable interest to both academic staff and policymakers. Nevertheless, there remains a need for more extensive research into the individual and academic factors influencing this engagement. Objectives: The current research investigated the relationships among individual and academic variables and the academic engagement observed in dental students at Babol, Northern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in ۲۰۲۳ at Babol University of Medical Sciences in northern Iran, investigated academic engagement among dental students. A total of ۳۱۵ students (۵۵.۹% female) were recruited using a cluster random sampling method. Data collection involved a demographic questionnaire, the Student Engagement in School Questionnaire (SESQ), and measures of individual and academic factors associated with academic engagement. Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed for statistical analysis. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at ۰.۰۵. Results: The ultimate path model substantiated that academic factors, encompassing the learning-teaching environment, servant leadership, staff-student interaction, available equipment, welfare amenities, and scientific and extracurricular spaces, significantly influenced perceived academic engagement. These factors exerted both direct (β = ۰.۲۰, p = ۰.۰۰۲), and indirect (β = ۰.۳۵, p < ۰.۰۰۱) positive effects on academic engagement. Furthermore, individual factors (such as self-efficacy, time management, hope, and support from family and friends) were identified as significant mediators of perceived academic engagement (β = ۰.۷۴, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Academic engagement among dental students at Babol is notably shaped by a combination of academic and individual elements. Universities have the capacity to foster greater engagement by elevating the caliber of their learning-teaching environment. Concurrently, students can cultivate their own academic engagement through the cultivation of hope.

کلیدواژه ها:

Academic success ، Engagement ، Students ، Dental ، Education ، Medical ، hope ، Learning ، Structural Equation Modeling