The impact of social support on student learning outcomes in Ho Chi Minh City: the mediating role of academic hardiness, psychological capital, and academic motivation

Abstract

In the context that the labor market is in great demand for high-quality human resources, students’ learning outcomes are considered one of the important factors for businesses to evaluate and select the most suitable employees. Learning outcomes will help to comprehensively assess the level of students' understanding of knowledge, skills and attitudes - essential factors in recruiting personnel. To achieve good outcomes, support from family, friends, instructors and school plays a crucial role. In addition, academic hardiness, psychological capital, and academic motivation also affect students’ learning outcomes. Therefore, the objective of the study is to test the relationship between social support and learning outcomes through the mediating role of academic hardiness, psychological capital, and academic motivation of university students in HCM City. The study surveyed and collected data from 353 students who are all studying at universities in HCM City. The results of testing measurement quality showed that 2 observed variables were removed, so the scale includes 33 observed variables representing 8 factors. The results of SmartPLS analysis show that the direct effect hypotheses are supported. In addition, academic hardiness, psychological capital and academic motivation also act as mediators in the relationship between social support and learning outcomes. Moreover, the team also found no different impacts among students with different demographic characteristics, specifically gender. Based on the research results, the research team proposes managerial implications to help students and universities in HCM City understand the role of social support, academic hardiness, psychological capital and academic motivation in students' learning outcomes, thereby offering solutions to improve learning outcomes.