Path Analysis Research Articles

A longitudinal study on the impact of student-teacher and student-peer relationships on academic performance: the mediating effects of study effort and engagement

ABSTRACT Despite the recognised importance of student-teacher and student-peer relationships as well as study effort and engagement in predicting academic performance, the interplay between these predictors has received limited attention in higher education research. Building on Study Demands-Resources theories, this longitudinal study explores the favourable impact of student-teacher and student-peer relationships on academic performance (GPA), mediated by study effort and engagement. In total, 613 undergraduate students (68% female; mean age 20 years) from all 13 Dutch public universities completed two online surveys with a 3.5-month interval. Student-teacher and student-peer relationships, study effort, and study engagement were measured at two time points (t1 and t2), while GPA was only measured at t2. Correlation and path analyses revealed that better relationships with both teachers and peers were longitudinally associated with a higher GPA, mediated by more study effort and engagement. This study contributes to the literature by employing longitudinal data, offering stronger causal evidence for processes underlying academic performance. It underscores the importance of fostering positive relationships with both teachers and peers to improve student performance. The findings suggest that educational institutions should implement strategies to strengthen these relationships, thereby enhancing study effort and engagement, ultimately leading to improved academic performance.

Path analysis for quality traits and minerals in common bean based on data from multi‐environment experiments

Path analysis for quality traits and minerals in common bean based on data from multi‐environment experiments

Depression and Functioning during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adults across Tunisia.

We aimed to understand how risk (trauma history, health problems, financial problems, family problems) and protective (friend support, family support) factors influenced daily functioning (e.g., self-care, mobility, social participation) among Tunisian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, directly and through their impact on depression, with a focus on gender differences. We recruited a representative sample of 2014 participants (1024 males, 990 females) using random digit dialing of mobile phone numbers across all 24 governorates in Tunisia. Females reported higher depression, greater impaired functioning, and a higher likelihood of having had COVID-19. Path analysis showed a good fit to the model when paths for males and females were allowed to vary, providing evidence for gender differences. Associations between trauma exposure and depression and depression and age with functioning were stronger among females. Social support from friends was a protective factor for males only. For males, all study variables were associated with functioning indirectly through their association with depression, except for support from friends. For females, family responsibilities and health problems had both direct and indirect effects, whereas other study variables were only linked with functioning through depression. Findings provide insights into factors that can be targeted in interventions aimed at reducing depression and improving daily functioning for males and females.

Tackling fashion waste from inside the wardrobe: The influence of personal factors on sustainable clothing use practice

Fashion consumption seems predestined for disenchantment, demarcated by low utilization levels and a consumption cycle that is too short to foster emotional attachment. To be sure, what occurs after purchase when clothing is taken home for use is a carbon intensive phase of the product's lifespan that is squarely within the clothing user's control and responsibility. Decreasing the purchase of new garments has the greatest potential to reduce the global carbon emissions associated with fashion consumption, and prolonging clothing's utilization are consumer habits considered critical to this aim. Clothing use, manifest in the wear, care, and repair practice, are a linchpin in determining how much and how quickly fashion becomes waste. Though these use behaviors clearly advance sustainable clothing consumption, the least is known about what occurs between purchase and disposal or why. It is also important to develop a method to measure sustainable use practice and explore the influence of personal factors that determine engagement in such. This research study examined how personal factors (including fashion trend sensitivity, style orientation, frugality) influence sustainable clothing use practices (wear, care, and repair). A quantitative questionnaire was administered online to a representative sample of 420 U.S. consumers. A multi-level path analysis was used to test a proposed model. The results indicate that fashion trend sensitivity, style orientation, and frugality positively influence sustainable clothing use practices. Further, findings reveal that these personal factors explain 80% of the variance in sustainable clothing use, highlighting the critical role of use practice in shaping sustainable clothing behavior.

Biofortification of iron and zinc under late-season water deficit and iron and zinc deficiency on yield and fatty acid composition of flaxseed

Iron and zinc are essential for plant and human health. Biofortification is crucial for improving crop performance. We studied how biofortification of iron and zinc to flaxseed affected its yield, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity in soil water and nutrient deficiency conditions. We tested nutritional impacts of iron and zinc (0, 4, and 8 g l−1) during the onset of stem elongation (VS) and flowering (RS) within two distinct environments (well-watered (WW) and after-anthesis water deficit (WD), and their interactions, on yield and fatty acid composition of flaxseed in 2018 and 2019 in Kermanshah, Iran. Based on the results in WW, seed, oil, protein, and mucilage yield were 1756, 646, 285, and 131 kg ha−1, and WD reduced seed and oil yield by 24, 33, and significantly increased saturated fatty acids, total phenol, and zinc in the seeds. In WW and WD, iron and zinc fortification significantly increased seed, oil, and protein yield, total phenol, unsaturated fatty acids and iron and zinc in the seeds. Path analysis showed that the number of seed capsule−1 and capsule plant−1 in the WW and WD, respectively, had the most direct and positive impact on seed, oil, mucilage, and protein yield. These findings suggest that oil yield was more sensitive to WD compared to seed, mucilage, and protein yield, and application of iron and zinc can boost the oil quantity and quality, iron, zinc content, and antioxidant capacity by minimizing the harmful impacts of WD.

The role of religious and financial factors in eudaimonic well-being among Indian adults

Purpose The available literature has explored the various psychosocial determinants of well-being to some extent. The earlier works have focused primarily on hedonic well-being with little focus on eudaimonic aspects. Therefore, this study aims to understand the role of parent–child religious attendance during childhood, religious connectedness, and financial-material stability on eudaimonic well-being among adults in India. Design/methodology/approach The authors used the India data from Global Flourishing Study – Wave 1 that addressed flourishing among adults above 18 years. The authors considered 9,076 Indian adults and used descriptive and correlation statistics. In addition, the authors conducted path analysis and t-test. Findings The likelihood of eudaimonic well-being increased with parent–child religious attendance during childhood (ß = −0.044, p < 0.01) along with religious connectedness (ß = −0.112, p < 0.01) and financial-material stability (ß = 0.145, p < 0.01) as an adult. In addition, a significant difference existed in terms of religious connectedness and eudaimonic well-being with income and perceived feelings about income. Originality/value This study emphasizes financial stability’s relevance in well-being and suggests the importance of considering religious factors during childhood and adulthood. Emphasizing factors influencing eudaimonic well-being is relevant due to its influence on mental health and quality of life.

Using meta-analytic path analysis to examine mechanisms relating students’ perceived feedback, motivation, self-efficacy, and academic performance

This study investigates the complex relationships between students’ perceived feedback from formative assessments, self-efficacy, learning motivation, and academic performance in the context of self-regulated learning in the formal educational setting. While previous research has explored these factors individually, their combined impact and interrelationships remain unclear. This research aims to fill this gap by examining how feedback mechanisms influence students' self-efficacy and learning motivation, and how these factors collectively affect academic performance. This study employs a comprehensive meta-analysis and structural equation modeling with path models to reassess the impacts of these influential factors on academic achievement. Specifically, it aims to 1. examine the directional effects of perceived feedback on self-efficacy; 2. investigate the role of self-efficacy in mediating the relationship between feedback and learning motivation; and 3. assess the direct and indirect effects of feedback, self-efficacy, and learning motivation on academic performance. Data is collected from various educational contexts to ensure a broad representation of learners' experiences. The analysis also evaluates the viability of mean imputation for handling missing values in two-stage structural equation modeling. The findings show that feedback from formative assessments strongly predict academic success as it has both direct and indirect effects on performance. Self-efficacy and learning motivation also play a key role in explaining differences in academic outcomes. This study offers a clearer understanding of how feedback, self-efficacy, and motivation work together to influence academic results. These insights can help improve educational practices by guiding better strategies to optimize students' learning experiences and outcomes.

Mediating role of academic competence in the relationship between perceived teaching style and academic resilience among adolescents

BackgroundAcademic resilience is crucial for adolescents as it enables them to overcome challenges and achieve educational success, yet the mechanisms underlying its development remain inadequately understood. This study investigated the mediating role of academic competence in the association between perceived teaching style and academic resilience among adolescents.MethodsThis descriptive correlational study was conducted between June 2022 and December 2022. The statistical population for this study encompassed all high school students in Tehran. To ensure the representativeness of the sample, a stratified random sampling technique was employed, involving a total of 400 high school students. Data were collected using online questionnaires, including the Academic Resilience Inventory (ARI), Teacher as Social Context (TASC), and Academic Competence Evaluation Scale (ACES). Descriptive statistics (e.g., mean, standard deviation, correlation matrix) and inferential statistics (e.g., path analysis) were used to analyze the data through SPSS-23 and LISREL version 8.7.2.ResultsThe findings demonstrate significant relationships between teaching styles, academic competence, and academic resilience. Specifically, path analysis reveals that teaching styles, particularly those emphasizing support and involvement, have direct and meaningful effects on academic competence, subsequently influencing academic resilience. The proposed model exhibits a good fit, as evidenced by various fit indices (p < .05).ConclusionThis study underscores the pivotal role of supportive and engaging teaching styles in fostering academic resilience among adolescents. By significantly enhancing students’ academic competence, these teaching approaches contribute to their overall well-being. These findings offer valuable insights for educators and policymakers to develop strategies that cultivate both academic skills and emotional strength, ultimately leading to improved educational outcomes.

The Influence of Green Tourism Differentiation and Green Marketing on Tourist Visit Decisions through Visit Interest in Paharangan Village Agrotourism

Indonesia, as a country rich in natural resources and biodiversity, has a great opportunity to develop an environmentally friendly tourism sector. In the last two decades, there has been an increasing interest in tourism development, especially with regard to green tourism. This study aims to empirically test the effect of green tourism differentiation and green marketing on tourists’ decisions to visit certain destinations. The independent variables for this analysis are green tourism differentiation and green marketing. The dependent variable is visit decision. The intervening variable is visit interest. The sample for this research draws from tourists who are visiting or have already visited Paharangan Village Agrotourism. The engineering method, non-probability sampling, was used for the sampling. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires directly to respondents, totalling as many as 130 questionnaires, and multiple linear regression and path analyses were conducted. The results show that while green tourism differentiation and green marketing significantly positively affect visit decision and visit interest of tourists, visit interest does not affect visit decision, and visit interest is not proven as an intervening variable between green tourism differentiation and green marketing on visiting decisions. Keywords: green tourism differentiation, green marketing, visit interest, visit decision

Exploring attitudes toward ChatGPT among college students: An empirical analysis of cognitive, affective, and behavioral components using path analysis

The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such as ChatGPT, has significantly impacted various aspects of human life, including higher education. This study explores university students' attitudes toward ChatGPT, focusing on the cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of attitudes, on the basis of Mitcham's philosophical framework of attitudes toward technology. A total of 595 university students from six public and private universities in northern Peru participated in an online survey. The results of the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that the affective component (β = 0.672∗∗∗) and the cognitive component (β = 0.260∗∗) positively influence the behavioral component of students' attitudes when ChatGPT is used. Moreover, the cognitive component (β = 0.931∗∗∗) positively influences the affective component of students' attitudes. However, gender and age did not have significant moderating effects on the relationships between the cognitive and affective components and the behavioral component. The discussion highlights that these findings contribute to understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying the adoption of ChatGPT in educational settings and offer valuable guidance for implementing this technology in teaching and learning processes. In conclusion, this study represents a significant advancement in comprehending attitudes toward generative AI technologies in higher education and opens new avenues for future research in this field.

Global warming impacts of carbon dioxide, methane, and albedo in an island forest nature reserve

Abstract Forest ecosystems influence climate by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and by altering the surface energy balance. However, the combined global warming impacts (GWIs), contribution from carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes, methane (CH4) fluxes, and albedo changes (Δα) remain poorly understood. Here, we reported the combined GWIs of CO2, CH4, and albedo with eddy covariance (EC) measurements during 2020–2022 in a subtropical island forest located in the Nanji Islands National Marine Protected Area in Southern China. We suggested that the island forest acted as a significant carbon sink, with annual CO2 and CH4 fluxes of −548.6 ± 11.1 and −5.67 ± 1.1 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively, while the daily albedo varied within the range of 0.03–0.15. By converting the radiative forcing induced by CH4 and albedo change in the forest to CO2 equivalents, we analyzed the three contributors to the combined GWI. The annual averages GWI of CO2 uptake, CH4 uptake, and Δα were −2 011.6 ± 40.6, -211.3 ± 1.1, and 0.03 ± 4.5 g CO2-eq m−2 yr−1, respectively, with a mean combined GWI of −2 223 ± 40.8 g CO2-eq m−2 yr−1. During 2020–2022, the contributions of CO2 uptake, CH4 uptake, and Δα to the combined GWI were 89.7% to 91.4%, 9.4% to 9.6% and -1.0 to 0.9%, respectively. Nanji island forest had a strong positive effect on climate change mitigation, with CO2 and CH4 uptake greatly enhancing its cooling benefits. Using Pearson correlation and path analysis, we found photosynthetically active radiation, precipitation, soil water content were the primary factors controlling the GWI dynamics, mainly driving the changes in CO2 fluxes. This study provided novel insights into the establishment of the overall evaluation framework for ecosystem-scale GWIs of CO2 and CH4 fluxes, and albedo based on long-term EC measurements in an island forest.

Correction: The impact of green bond issuance on carbon emission intensity and path analysis

Correction: The impact of green bond issuance on carbon emission intensity and path analysis

Role of servicescape in patients' clinic care waiting experience: Evidence from developing countries.

The aim of this research is to investigate the role of servicescape on re-patronage and recommended intention through pleasure feeling and satisfaction in healthcare settings that put substantial contribution in the process of healthcare service delivery. Data were collected through cross-sectional convenience sampling via a self-administered survey questionnaire from 431 clinical outpatients who revisit the same hospital of metropolitan areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was carried out for path analysis through AMOS (24.0 V), while statistical measures were analyzed using SPSS (25.0 V). The present study results revealed that patients' intention optimistically triggered through partial mediation and affirm the direct and indirect association with servicescape. It also revealed that patient-recommended and re-patronage intentions to visit the clinic were statistically substantial and positively influenced by intervening constructs of pleasure feeling and satisfaction. Additionally, it is found that servicescape and pleasure feeling contributed to 30% change in satisfaction. Moreover, pleasure feeling, and satisfaction contributed to 50% change in re-patronage and 31% change in recommendation intention of the patients. The current study findings contribute significantly to servicescape literature from a theatrical perspective and reevaluate the patterns and operations in healthcare. It also helps managers and administrators of private hospitals to make strategies to increase patient satisfaction.

Analysis of the Use of E-Money, Money Supply, and Gross Domestic Product on Interest Rate

This research aims to examine the effect of a direct relationship between the use of e-money and the circulation of money on interest rates, as well as an indirect effect, namely through the intervening variable gross domestic product. This research method uses a statistical model of path analysis. The sample used was secondary data fetched from the Website of Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), since regulation on electronic payment method was officially issued by Bank Indonesia in May 2009-March 2023. The test results shows that e-money and money supply each, have a significant positive effect on gross domestic product variables. Gross domestic product variables had a negative effect on interest rates. E-money and money supply variables has a negative effect on interest rates, both directly or indirectly through the intervening variable of gross domestic product. Increasing e-money user and money supply, preponderant to gross domestic product, can decrease the interest rate. The results of this research are expected to provide benefits as a prediction of the Indonesian economy in the future, as a result of the issuance of electronic payment instruments. So for the regulators, they can set the right interest rate policy to be able to maintain stable economic conditions. Keywords: electronic money, money supply, gross domestic bruto, interest rate

Pathway to Trauma-Informed Rehabilitation Counseling: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors’ Training Experiences and Use of Trauma-Relevant Knowledge in Daily Practice

The compelling evidence regarding the prevalence and profound impacts of traumatic experiences on individuals with disabilities underscores the need to establish trauma-informed service environments within vocational rehabilitation (VR). In an initial endeavor towards cultivating trauma-informed service, this study investigates the VR counselors’ professional training experiences in the topical areas of trauma. Further, the applicability of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM 2) is examined in elucidating the utilization of trauma knowledge by VR counselors in their practices. A needs assessment focusing on trauma training was distributed to 169 VR counselors to measure their trauma-related training history and utilization of trauma knowledge in practices. Path analysis was employed to examine the relationship between training experience and the actual use of trauma knowledge in counseling based on the TAM 2 framework. Participants reported having 9.71 hours of post-graduate training. Path analysis suggested adding three additional paths to the original research model, explaining how post-graduate training leads to the use of trauma knowledge in VR service through perceived ease of use, usefulness, attitude toward using, and behavioral intention. The profession of rehabilitation counseling needs to incorporate more trauma-related training into its practice, education, and research to better serve individuals with disabilities and improve the effectiveness of services.

A Sibling's Intuition: The Role of Sibling Approval for Romantic Relationships

Research has shown that family and peer relationships have an impact on the stability and quality of one's romantic relationships. According to family systems theory, family dyads are likely to impact the stability of romantic dyads within a system. Yet, little is known if and how one's sibling will impact the development and maintenance of that relationship. Therefore, the goal of this study is to understand how approval of a sibling's romantic relationship impacts the quality of that relationship. Participants ( N = 168) and their siblings ( N = 118) were recruited to participate in an online survey, which included questions regarding their current and previous romantic relationships, if applicable, their relationship with their sibling, and their approval of their sibling's previous and/or current relationship(s). Data was analyzed using moderation analyses and actor–partner interdependence models. Although regression results showed no effects of sibling approval for relationship quality for either current or past relationships, the path analyses revealed that when participants approved their siblings’ relationship, the satisfaction increased, but when the siblings approved of the participant's relationship, the satisfaction trended downward. Path analyses also showed that approval did not predict the satisfaction of either participant's or sibling's last relationship. In both models, sibling and participant approval significantly predicted each other. Last, sibling closeness was not found to moderate any of these relationships. These results show that sibling approval plays a role in romantic relationships, but the impacts vary depending on relationship context.

ANALYSIS OF PATH NONPARAMETRIC TRUNCATED SPLINE MAXIMUM CUBIC ORDER IN BANKING CREDIT OF RISK BEHAVIOR MODEL

Path analysis tests the relationship between variables through cause and effect. The assumption of linearity must be met before conducting further tests on path analysis. If the shape of the relationship is nonlinear and the shape of the curve is unknown, a nonparametric approach is used, one of which is a truncated spline. The purpose of this study is to estimate the function and obtain the best model on the nonparametric truncated spline path of linear, quadratic, and cubic orders with 1 and 2-knot points and determine the significance of the best function estimator in banking credit of risk behavior model through the jackknife resampling method. This study uses secondary data through questionnaires to KPR debtor consumers, as many as 100 respondents. Based on the results of the analysis, it is known that the best-truncated spline nonparametric path model is the quadratic order of 2 knots with a coefficient of determination of 85.50%; the significance of the best-truncated spline nonparametric path estimator shows that all exogenous variables have a significant effect on endogenous variables.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ perception of job pressure as well as their anxiety and depression levels. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 109 healthcare workers enrolled in two MBA courses in Healthcare Human Resources Management at a university in the Southern USA, respectively, Fall 2020 and Fall 2021. A path analysis was conducted to test a model of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ perception of job pressure as well as their anxiety and depression levels. Findings The study results showed treatment of COVID-19 patients led to increased work hours for healthcare workers; changes in work hours and work methods were related to healthcare workers’ perception of job pressure; healthcare workers perceptions of job pressure were positively related to their anxiety levels; organizational support was negatively related to healthcare workers’ anxiety levels; and healthcare workers’ anxiety levels were positively related to their depression levels. Originality/value Findings from the tested model provide support for the Job Demands-Resources model in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Selection Strategy for Yield Improvement of Chickpea Genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.)

An investigation was undertaken to assess the genetic variability parameters, correlation and path analysis in 25 chickpea genotypes for 12 quantitative traits during the Rabi season of 2022-23 in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance indicated high significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits. Considerable variability existed in the genotypes for all the characters studied. The study found that CG23, CG159, and CG199 were the most superior genotypes for grain yield per plant among 25 chickpea genotypes. High PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for test weight and biological yield. Grain yield per plant showed positive significant association with number of pods, days to maturity, days to 50% pod initiation and number of primary branches. High and positive direct effect of grain yield per plant at both phenotypic and genotypic levels were depicted by harvest index. These characters may be taken into consideration for selection of quantitative characters for crop improvement.

Transformational Environmental Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility as Triggers of Competitive Advantage and Sustainable Performance in Environmentally Certified Companies in Mexico

This research proposes a model to assess the impacts of transformational environmental leadership and corporate social responsibility on sustainable performance with the mediating effect of competitive advantage in environmentally certified companies in Mexico. Based on a literature review, a measurement instrument was created to evaluate the variables in the model. The sample is composed of 150 certified companies from 29 states. We used factor analysis and path analysis for hypothesis testing. We observed that transformational environmental leadership facilitates the internal changes and decision-making necessary to implement corporate social responsibility practices, develop competitive advantages, and improve sustainable performance. We also observed a positive relationship between competitive advantage and sustainable performance. From a transformational environmental leadership perspective, this study is helpful for researchers, industry experts, policymakers, and managers interested in voluntary environmental certifications in emerging economies. The research model implies a way to strengthen companies’ competitive advantage and sustainable performance through transformational environmental leadership and corporate social responsibility.