How positive affect shapes academic success through personal resources and engagement: a longitudinal study
Abstract
University students face increasing academic and emotional demands that make psychological well-being and academic success key concerns for higher education institutions. This study examines how positive affect contributes to academic performance through the mediation of personal resources and academic engagement. Drawing on the Broaden-and-Build Theory and the Job Demands-Resources Model, we explored these relationships using a quantitative, longitudinal design. A total of 181 undergraduate students from Spanish universities, with a mean age of 29.9 years (SD = 11.6), participated in the study and completed surveys at two time points (T1 and T2). At T1, we measured positive affect, perceived academic efficacy, resilience, social support, and academic engagement. At T2, academic performance was assessed using a performance rate based on the number of subjects passed relative to those enrolled. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) results showed that positive affect significantly predicted personal resources (β = 0.78, p < .001), which in turn predicted engagement (β = 0.90, p < .001), and academic engagement showed a modest but statistically significant association with academic performance (β = 0.22, p < .01). Indirect effects supported an indirect-only pathway, indicating that the association between positive affect and academic performance operated primarily through personal resources and academic engagement rather than through a significant direct effect. These findings support the theoretical proposition that positive affect fosters personal and motivational resources that are associated with better academic performance. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data and a modest sample size. Results suggest that universities may support students’ engagement and performance through psychological support, academic guidance, mentoring, and initiatives aimed at strengthening positive affect and personal resources.