A Sense of Belonging at University: Student Retention, Motivation and Enjoyment

Autor/inn/en	Pedler, Megan Louise; Willis, Royce; Nieuwoudt, Johanna Elizabeth
Titel	A Sense of Belonging at University: Student Retention, Motivation and Enjoyment
Quelle	In: Journal of Further and Higher Education, 46 (2022) 3, S.397-408 (12 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Pedler, Megan Louise) ORCID (Willis, Royce) ORCID (Nieuwoudt, Johanna Elizabeth)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0309-877X
DOI	10.1080/0309877X.2021.1955844
Schlagwörter	Academic Persistence; College Students; First Generation College Students; Parent Background; Educational Attainment; Student School Relationship; Potential Dropouts; At Risk Students; Student Characteristics; Student Motivation; Foreign Countries; Australia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Collegestudent; Elternhaus; Bildungsabschluss; Bildungsgut; Schüler-Lehrer-Beziehung; Schulische Motivation; Ausland; Australien
Abstract	A sense of belonging is important as it incorporates feelings of being valued, included and accepted at university. Research suggests that higher education students who have a greater sense of belonging tend to have higher motivation, more academic self-confidence, higher levels of academic engagement and higher achievement. This article presents findings from a questionnaire (n = 578) that was developed to explore the relationships between university students' sense of belonging and student retention. The current study found a significant difference in the level of belonging between first-generation students and students whose parents had both completed university. Additionally, students who frequently considered leaving university without completing their degree (i.e. dropping out) had a significantly lower sense of belonging than students who did not. Finally, university students with a higher sense of belonging reported higher motivation and enjoyment in their studies whereas students who reported lower levels of belonging reported lower levels of motivation and enjoyment. This study highlights that university students' sense of belonging is of high importance to higher education institutions as it increases students' academic motivation and enjoyment in their studies, which can impact on student achievement and reduces the likelihood of students considering leaving university before completing their studies, thus contributing to student retention. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01