A correlational study on attachment dimensions, academic performance and self-regulated learning of university students in South Africa

ABSTRACT

An association between attachment and academic performance appears to be consistently found in children; however, reports on such an association in adolescents are contradictory. This study aimed to determine whether the attachment dimensions of anxiety or avoidance significantly correlate with a student’s academic performance at university. Moreover, since individual differences in attachment index distinct self-regulatory capacities, this study aimed to determine whether any correlation exists between a student’s attachment dimensions and measures of self-regulated learning. Attachment dimensions were determined by the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire, while self-regulated learning was determined by the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory, in a sample of university students (n = 185). Neither attachment dimensions correlated significantly with measures of academic performance. However, attachment dimensions did significantly correlate with measures of self-regulated learning in this study.

KEYWORDS:

• Attachment dimensions
• attachment avoidance
• attachment anxiety
• academic performance
• self-regulated learning
• tertiary education

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor Piet Becker for his assistance in the statistical analysis of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work is based on the research supported in part by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa for the grant, Unique Grant No. 94171, the University Research Committee of the University of Johannesburg and a Postgraduate Research Bursary from the University of Pretoria. The funding sources had no involvement in the study design; collection, analysis and interpretation of data; writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication. Any opinion, finding and conclusion or recommendation expressed in this material is that of the authors and the NRF does not accept any liability in this regard.