Previous research indicated that hope is a psychological strength that could help one to overcome obstacles. Recently, a research published on Learning and Individual Differences investigated that relationship between hope and academic achievement among a sample of Chinese primary school students.
The study was conducted in a city in Southern China, with 949 students from third to fifth grades participated. Students participated in the study completed a questionnaire and was assessed of their academic performance for three consecutive semesters. The questionnaire was conducted in the middle of each semester, assessing students’ level of hope and behavioural engagement. Academic performance was measured by a single index based on students’ performance in the final exam for Chinese, English and Mathematics during the end of semesters. The results showed that:
- The relationship between hope and academic achievement among Chinese primary school students was reciprocal. Students’ hope can predict later achievement, while achievement also related to later hope level.
- Hope’s effects on academic achievement were partially through behavioural engagement.
The authors suggested that primary school students with higher level of hope were more willing to invest energy in school activities such as asking questions, which contribute to their performance in schools. The positive performance feedback accumulated in turn reinforced hope. Therefore, early successful academic performance is important to educational attainment in the long run.