Life Events as Predictors of Academic Performance

Abstract

As part of a larger study, information was obtained about the life events which had occurred in the one-and-ten-year periods prior to entrance into a study of 169 students at a large midwestern university. Different methods of calculating life change were utilized, and these measures were correlated with the students' subsequent grade point averages over the next three years. Results demonstrated a significant negative association between life change and academic performance for the first-and second-but not for the third-year grades. Further analysis suggested a threshold effect since the detrimental impact of life change appeared evident only after the occurrence of about 12 events in the one-year time period. Life change also was implicated as a factor in severe academic difficulty resulting in the initiation of formal academic sanctions. Specific events which occurred in excess among the poorer performing students also were reported.

Academic and Psychosocial Antecedents of Academic Performance for Minority and Nonminority College Football Players

“…For minority athletes, although the psychosocial variables of life stress and competitive trait anxiety were ACT Credit Hours unrelated to academic performance, the academic variables, specifically ACT, did predict semester GPA. In terms of the psychosocial variables, these findings differ from previous studies that have found inverse life stress-academic performance relationships (De Meuse, 1985;Garrity & Ries, 1985;Lloyd et al, 1980). This inconsistency in results may be due to demographic differences; that is, the participants in previous investigations were predominantly nonminority and represented male and female nonathlete undergraduates.…”

“…Other studies (e.g., De Meuse, 1985;Garrity & Ries, 1985;Lloyd, Alexander, Rice, & Greenfield, 1980) attempting to explain the academic performances of college students have focused on the effects of a psychosocial variable, life events stress, which has been defined as individuals' psychological reactions and adaptations to the occurrence of major life events (e.g., marriage, death of a close friend). For example, Lloyd et al (1980) reported significant negative relationships between life stress and GPAs taken at subsequent 1-and 2year intervals. No relationship between life stress and GPA were found for the third year after the stressor.…”

Psychosocial Modifiers of Immunocompetence in Medical Students

“…Consistent with previous research, high scorers on either or both scales were expected to describe themselves as more distressed than low scorers oft self-report measure. An association between high stressful life events and poorer academic performance was predicted, as has been described in previous studies (15).…”

The Adaptive Success Identity Plan (ASIP): A Career Intervention for College Students

“…Application ofstress management in ASIP. Stress has been found to be associated with negative academic outcomes (DeMeuse, 1985;Garrity & Reis, 1985;Lloyd, Alexander, Rice, & Greenfield, 1985). For example, Lloydetal.…”