TY  - EJOU
AU  - Ma, Huan 
AU  - Zou, Jinmei 
AU  - Zhong, Ying 

TI  - Academic self-efficacy and self-directed learning ability among nursing students: The moderating role of learning engagement
T2  - Journal of Psychology in Africa

PY  - 2025
VL  - 35
IS  - 4
SN  - 1815-5626

AB  - This study explored the role of learning engagement in the relationship between academic self-efficacy and self-directed learning ability among nursing students. Participants were 328 Chinese nursing students (male = 11.3%, female = 88.7%; mean age = 20.86 years; SD = 1.75 years). The participants completed surveys on academic self-efficacy (Academic Self-efficacy Scale), learning engagement (Learning Engagement Scale), and self-directed learning ability (Self-directed Learning Instrument). Hayes regression-based PROCESS macro analysis revealed that learning engagement mediated the relationship between academic self-efficacy and self-directed learning ability. The hierarchical regression analysis showed higher academic self-efficacy to be associated with self-directed learning ability. Additionally learning engagement was associated with higher self-directed learning ability. Based on these findings, there is a need for interventions to improve students’ self-directed learning ability through increasing their academic self-efficacy and enhancing learning engagement.
KW  - academic self-efficacy; learning engagement; self-directed learning ability; nursing students

DO  - 10.32604/jpa.2025.070066