The influence of teacher emotional support on academic engagement of university students: Examining the mediating role of academic motivation through the lens of Self-determination theory
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Despite substantial studies on the influence of emotional support from teachers on student engagement, there is a dearth of research regarding how academic motivation improves the effectiveness of teacher support in improving college student engagement. This study investigates the mediating role of academic motivation in the relationship between teacher emotional support and student engagement. Utilizing Self-Determination Theory (SDT), we examine how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, as well as amotivation, influence engagement. This study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional research design to examine the mediating role of academic motivation in the link between teacher emotional support and student engagement. A total of 1,250 university students participated, responding to validated scales measuring teacher emotional support, academic motivation, and engagement. The results revealed that teacher emotional support significantly predicts both academic motivation and student engagement. Furthermore, academic motivation partially mediates this relationship, with intrinsic and extrinsic motivation enhancing engagement, while amotivation negatively impacts it. These findings underscore the importance of emotional support in fostering motivation, leading to greater academic engagement. The study highlights the psychological mechanisms underlying student engagement, contributing to research on higher education strategies. The results emphasize the need for educators to create emotionally supportive environments to maximize student motivation and engagement. Future research should explore correlational design to establish causality and examine additional factors such as peer support and learning environments.
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409409402