Association between grit and academic achievement among undergraduate pharmacy students in Malaysia

Abstract

IntroductionThis study evaluated the level of grit and its association with academic achievement among pharmacy undergraduate students in Malaysia. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted at a public university in Malaysia. Data were collected using an electronic, validated, pre-tested modified version of the short Grit scale between December 2019 and January 2020. Correlation between grit and self-reported cumulative grade point average (CGPA) was examined. ResultsOf 444 students invited to participate, 247 completed the questionnaire (response rate 55.6%). Mean age was 21.4 ± 1.5 years, and 70.6% were female. The mean grit score was 3.1 ± 0.4 (out of 5.0). Students had higher scores in the perseverance of effort subscale (3.3 ± 0.7) than the consistency of interest subscale (2.9 ± 0.5). Students with self-reported CGPAs ≥3.50 had higher mean grit (3.3 ± 0.4) than those with CGPAs of 3.00 to 3.49 (3.0 ± 0.4) and < 3.00 (3.1 ± 0.4) (P = .007). There was a significant correlation between self-reported CGPA with consistency of interest score (r = 0.139; P = .03) and mean grit score (r = 0.153; P = .02). There was no association between CGPA and the perseverance of effort score. ConclusionsPharmacy undergraduate students in Malaysia have a moderate level of grit. Academic achievement (CGPA ≥3.50) was significantly associated with consistency of interest and grit scores. Pharmacy educators should counsel students who experience academic setbacks on the importance of maintaining interest and sustaining efforts to improve their academic achievements.