The Impact of Positive and Negative Life Events on Learning Engagement Among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Control
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/era.2026.02.02Abstract
Insufficient learning engagement is a common issue among Chinese college students. Previous studies have indicated that specific life events influenced their level of learning engagement. However, few studies have specifically investigated the overall impact of positive and negative life events on the learning engagement of college students. This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which positive and negative life events affect learning engagement among Chinese college students. Using cross-sectional research, 1581 college students from in Chongqing were selected to complete the Adolescent Daily Life Events Scale, the Brief Self-Control Scale, and the Learning Engagement Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 21.0, and mediation analysis was tested using Model 4 in the PROCESS 3.0 plugin. The study revealed that: (1) Negative life events among college students had no significant correlation with learning engagement (r=-0.005, p>0.05); (2) Positive life events among college students significantly and positively predicted learning engagement, with a direct effect of 0.571 (95%CI [0.491-0.656]); (3) Self-control among college students positively predicted their learning engagement, with a direct effect of 1.071 (95%CI [0.944-1.198]); (4) Self-control mediated the effect of positive life events on learning engagement, with an indirect effect of 0.103 (95%CI [0.062-0.146]). Negative life events among college students are not significantly associated with their learning engagement, whereas positive life events positively predict learning engagement. Moreover, self-control plays a mediating role in the influence path of positive life events on learning engagement. This result can provide a reference for universities to formulate strategies for enhancing college students' learning engagement.
Document Type: Original article
Cited as: Hu, C. M. (2026). The impact of positive and negative life events on learning engagement among Chinese college students: The mediating role of self-control. Educational Research Advances, 1(2), 88-95. https://doi.org/10.46690/era.2026.02.02
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Keywords:
Positive and Negative Life Events, Learning Engagement, Self-Control, Mediating Effect, Chinese College StudentsReferences
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