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Sense of Purpose in Life Predicts University Performance and Attrition

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Title: Sense of Purpose in Life Predicts University Performance and Attrition
Language: English
Authors: Jacob E. Alderson, Nathan A. Lewis, Patrick L. Hill, Nicholas A. Turiano
Source: Student Success. 2025 16(1):48-60.
Availability: Queensland University of Technology. QUT Library, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, OLD 4001, Australia. Tel: +61-07-3138-5345; e-mail: journal@unistars.org; Web site: https://studentsuccessjournal.org/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Public Colleges, Student Educational Objectives, Goal Orientation, Academic Persistence, School Holding Power, Grade Point Average, Student Characteristics, Correlation, Academic Achievement
ISSN: 2205-0795
Abstract: Individual differences are important predictors of academic success. A sense of purpose in life is gaining increasing attention as a key individual difference factor to foster in university students. The current study examined whether a sense of purpose in life, a dispositional tendency to pursue goals and activities in line with one's overarching life direction, predicted better academic success across several years of university. Students (n = 769) at a large, U.S. public university were asked to complete a baseline survey in the summer prior to entering university, which included measures for a sense of purpose and background characteristics. Students were then followed throughout their first three years of university. Results demonstrated that higher levels of purpose were associated with a higher grade point average (GPA), more credits earned, less credits dropped, and an increased odds of persisting through the first three years of university. A sense of purpose also appeared to buffer the negative effect of low entrance scores on university GPA. These findings support cultivating a strong sense of purpose prior to entering university as an effective means of improving a variety of academic outcomes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1464393
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Queensland University of Technology. QUT Library, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, OLD 4001, Australia. Tel: +61-07-3138-5345; e-mail: journal@unistars.org; Web site: https://studentsuccessjournal.org/
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  Data: Individual differences are important predictors of academic success. A sense of purpose in life is gaining increasing attention as a key individual difference factor to foster in university students. The current study examined whether a sense of purpose in life, a dispositional tendency to pursue goals and activities in line with one's overarching life direction, predicted better academic success across several years of university. Students (n = 769) at a large, U.S. public university were asked to complete a baseline survey in the summer prior to entering university, which included measures for a sense of purpose and background characteristics. Students were then followed throughout their first three years of university. Results demonstrated that higher levels of purpose were associated with a higher grade point average (GPA), more credits earned, less credits dropped, and an increased odds of persisting through the first three years of university. A sense of purpose also appeared to buffer the negative effect of low entrance scores on university GPA. These findings support cultivating a strong sense of purpose prior to entering university as an effective means of improving a variety of academic outcomes.
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 48
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Colleges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Educational Objectives
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Goal Orientation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Persistence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Holding Power
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade Point Average
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Characteristics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Correlation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
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      – TitleFull: Sense of Purpose in Life Predicts University Performance and Attrition
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            NameFull: Nathan A. Lewis
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            NameFull: Patrick L. Hill
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              Y: 2025
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