The mediating role of satisfaction in university dropout: a study on Spanish students' social adaptation and learning self-regulation

Abstract

University dropout is a phenomenon of great interest due to its impact on the social and economic progress of different countries around the world. Although accessibility to higher education has increased, dropout rates remain concerning. Research has evolved from unidimensional models to multidimensional ones, highlighting the importance of observing multiple academic, affective-motivational, and social variables in the decision to drop out of studies. Therefore, the objective of this research has been to analyze to what extent the intention to drop out of a degree is predicted by social adaptation, the use of self-regulation learning strategies, and satisfaction with the degree and previous expectations. To do this, a sample of 565 university students from different degrees was used, to whom the Early University Dropout Intentions Questionnaire was applied. The path model shows that satisfaction and previous expectations mediate the relationship between social adaptation and the use of self-regulation strategies and the intention to drop out. These findings suggest the importance of understanding the interactions between variables of different nature to address the phenomenon of university dropout in a more comprehensive manner.