What the study found
The study found that psychological capital was positively related to undergraduate students’ academic achievement. Psychological capital here refers to hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that psychological resources may play an important role in explaining students’ academic outcomes. They suggest that training interventions to improve students’ psychological capital should be designed.
What the researchers tested
The researchers studied 390 undergraduate students from different faculties at a private university in Malaysia. They examined the relationship between psychological capital and academic achievement, and also tested the individual links of hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism with academic achievement. Gender and age were controlled in a hierarchical regression analysis.
What worked and what didn't
Pearson correlation analysis showed that hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism were each positively correlated with academic achievement. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that psychological capital had a positive influence on academic achievement after controlling for gender and age.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe limitations beyond the study being based on students from a single private university in Malaysia. No other caveats are stated in the available summary.
Key points
- Psychological capital was positively associated with academic achievement.
- Hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism were each positively correlated with achievement.
- The study included 390 undergraduate students from a private university in Malaysia.
- Gender and age were controlled in the regression analysis.
- The authors suggest designing interventions to improve students’ psychological capital.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Psychological capital was linked to higher academic achievement
- Authors:
- Lok-Sin Kuar, Lee-Peng Ng, Yuen Onn Choong, Chun-Eng Tan, Sok-Yee Teoh
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-19
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by Leo_Fontes on Pixabay · Pixabay License
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