Determinants of Academic Underachievement in Children and Adolescents: A Quantitative Path Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Academic underachievement, defined as a statistically significant gap between a student's intellectual potential and actual academic performance, remains a notable challenge in education systems worldwide. This research (N=450) employs a post-positivist quantitative design to identify the factors that contribute to this performance gap. It hypothesizes four factors: Executive Functioning (EF), Growth Mindset, Parental Involvement, and School Climate, and uses hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analysis. The findings indicate that EF and Self-Efficacy most strongly influence GPA change (R2=.62), although parental involvement also plays a significant role in mitigating the effects of low socioeconomic status (SES). The results provide empirical support for integrating the development of non-cognitive skills into the core curricula to help reduce persistent underperformance.
Institutions: Air University, University of Peshawar
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7219931939