Is grit worth the investment? How grit compares to other psychosocial factors in predicting achievement

Abstract

In this study, I examined the internal consistency and structural validity of scores on the Short Grit scale, Academic Self-Concept scale, and Engagement scale in a sample of 1154 urban adolescent high school students. I also assessed how much of GPA’s variance is explained by grit, academic self-concept, and educational engagement. Results suggested that the scores on all three scales were structurally sound and internally consistent. However, grit and engagement explained considerably less of GPA’s variance in this urban sample than academic self-concept. Therefore, this study’s findings indicate that school improvement and intervention programs might be more effective if they are focused on increasing more established psychosocial factors like academic self-concept rather than grit.