PhD students’ motivation profiles: A self-determination theory perspective

Abstract

Previous research has underscored the importance of understanding the mechanisms that underpin the academic motivation of PhD students. This understanding is crucial for enhancing their educational experience and program completion rates. Based on self-determination theory, this person-centered study first investigated PhD students’ motivation profiles defined on their types of academic motivations. Second, we explored associations between these profiles and various predictors (need satisfaction and support) and educational outcomes (persistence, satisfaction, future intentions, and performance). Third, we systematically tested the similarity of these profiles and their associations with predictors and outcomes across subgroups of students based on sex, field of study, citizenship, and program progression. Using a sample of 1060 Canadian PhD students, four distinct profiles emerged from the latent profile analyses: Low self-determined, Introjected, Identified, and High self-determined. Profile membership was predicted by need satisfaction and perceived support from faculty members. The most desirable outcome levels were associated with the High self-determination profile, followed by the Identified, Introjected and Low self-determined profiles. These profiles and their associations with predictors and outcomes were highly similar across the different subgroups. From a practical perspective, our results allowed us to identify students with less optimal motivation configurations and to propose intervention strategies, particularly focused on students’ need for autonomy, to support more desirable motivational profiles.