Mayer, Alizée (2025) Understanding the Link Between Purpose in Life and Positive Affect Among First-Year Students: A Mediating Role for Academic Self-Concordance? Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Mental health concerns are prevalent among university students in the Netherlands, highlighting the importance of identifying psychological factors that foster mental well-being. This study examines whether academic self-concordance serves as a mediator between purpose in life and positive affect, while controlling for the influence of negative affect. The sample of the study consists of 193 first-year psychology students at the University of Groningen who completed an online survey of validated scales regarding the variables. Baron and Kenny’s classic mediation method, along with Hayes’ PROCESS macro, were used in SPSS to analyse the mediation effect. Results indicate a significant mediation effect through both methods. A strong sense of purpose guides students towards setting concordant academic goals aligned with their values, which in turn promotes greater positive affect about their studies. This is due to the inherently rewarding nature of pursuing autonomously chosen goals. These findings indicate that enhancing students’ sense of purpose and helping them set up self-concordant academic goals could increase their well-being, which may additionally positively influence student results and motivation. Keywords: purpose in life, academic self-concordance, positive affect, negative affect, mediation, first-year students
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Dalley, S.E. and Ballato, L. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Jul 2025 11:04 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jul 2025 11:04 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5555 |
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