Modeling Academic Well-Being Based on Mastery–Approach Goal Orientation, Self-Regulated Learning, and Critical Thinking With the Mediating Role of Academic Motivation in Female Upper Secondary School Students With Maladaptive Mobile Phone Dependence

Abstract

The aim of this study was to model academic well-being based on mastery goal orientation, self-regulated learning, and critical thinking with the mediating role of academic motivation in female second-year high school students with harmful dependence on mobile phones. The present study was an applied and correlational study using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all female second-year high school students in Tabriz in the academic year 1403–1404. After initial screening for harmful dependence on mobile phones among 800 people, the final sample included 376 students. Data were collected using standard questionnaires on academic well-being, goal orientation, self-regulated learning, critical thinking, academic motivation, and harmful dependence on mobile phones and analyzed with AMOS software. The results of structural equation modeling showed that the research model had a good fit (χ²/df = 3.05, CFI = 0.94, IFI = 0.93, NFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.071, SRMR = 0.067). The direct effect of mastery goal orientation on academic well-being was significant (β = 0.39, t = 4.07, p < 0.001). Self-regulated learning also showed a significant direct effect on academic well-being (β = 0.30, t = 3.98, p < 0.001). Also, critical thinking directly contributed to the prediction of academic well-being (β = 0.34, t = 4.31, p < 0.001). The results of indirect effects showed that academic motivation plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between mastery goal orientation (β = 0.387, p < 0.001), self-regulated learning (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), and critical thinking (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) and academic well-being. The findings indicate that strengthening motivational, self-regulatory, and cognitive resources can help improve students' academic well-being even in conditions of harmful mobile phone addiction.