How does future focus promote study engagement? A moderated mediation model of self‐esteem and dispositional awe

Abstract

Sufficient engagement in studying promotes students' academic performance and ability to compete in the job market. In this study, we explore the role of future focus and dispositional awe in stimulating college students' study engagement. To examine our hypotheses, we conducted a questionnaire survey with 237 students from a national college in China. The results indicate that future focus is positively related to study engagement and that self-esteem mediates this relationship. Moreover, the mediating effect of self-esteem is moderated by dispositional awe such that the mediation relationship is weaker when the level of awe is higher. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. K E Y W O R D S dispositional awe, future focus, self-esteem, study engagement 1 | INTRODUCTION "You have to study hard for a better future!" Students have always heard these words from their teachers or parents and it's a common and effective incentive. Besides, scholars reveal that focusing on one's future is the key to goal pursuit in meaningful life (Andre et al., 2019). However, numerous students are indulged in the present temptation (e.g., internet or social networking sites) when they come to colleges. These activities may have many negative effects on study engagement, such as skipping class, playing games in classes, losing interest in learning, refusing to participate in social activities, and even dropping out (Li et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2018). These students ignore the truth that higher education is future-oriented as it contains the utility

Learning under stress: The moderating role of future time perspective

“…Nevertheless, students higher in FTP still reported higher investment in learning (without taking anxiety into account), which was evident by the positive relationship between FTP and investment in learning. This corroborates previous research that has suggested a motivational role for FTP in education (Andre et al, 2018(Andre et al, , 2019Husman & Shell, 2008;Peetsma et al, 2017;Schuitema et al, 2014;Zhang et al, 2021).…”

“…In our study, we focused on the FTP related to school and professional career because we were interested in exploring the relationship between anxiety and investment in learning in the academic domain. FTP was found to be positively related to various educational outcomes such as learning effort, engagement, achievement, and performance (Andre et al, 2018;Schuitema et al, 2014;Zhang et al, 2021). Particularly, studies have found that FTP in school and professional career positively related to secondary school students' investment in learning.…”

The Role of Career Adaptability and Academic Engagement in College Student’s Life Satisfaction

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Play hard, study hard? The influence of gamification on students’ study engagement

“…Study engagement refers to the positive and fulfilling experience associated with learning, including energy, focus, and absorption in education (Zhang et al, 2021) high quality of mental energy in the learning process. Concentration refers to the ability to identify with learning and sustain a commitment to it.…”

“…Study engagement refers to the positive and fulfilling experience associated with learning, including energy, focus, and absorption in education ( Zhang et al, 2021 ). Energy reflects a high quality of mental energy in the learning process.…”