THE EFFECTS OF
LEARNING SELF-MANAGEMENT
ON
STUDENT DESIRE AND ABILITY TO SELF-MANAGE, SELF-EFFICACY,
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, AND RETENTION
ABSTRACT
An integrated approach to self-management teaches students to discriminate
among affect, behavior, and cognitive processes, to identify feelings, behaviors, and
thoughts that aid or deter them in accomplishing their goals, and to apply research-based
methods for change. This approach is presented as a model for improving self
management skills in general as well as in several areas of self-management.
This three-part study employed quantitative and qualitative methodologies to
assess the effects of learning an integrated approach to self-management on
undergraduate student performance. Part one employed quantitative measures to assess
students’ perceptions of locus of control, desire and ability to self-manage, and self-
efficacy before and after participation in the course. It also compared probationary and
non-probationary students on these variables and three application areas: management of
affect, organizational skills, and assertiveness. Part two consisted of interviews with
current and former self-management students. The interviews gained descriptive data on
if and how students used the integrated approach and methods in real life situations. In
this way, qualitative finding were used to minimize threats to internal validity of the
quantitative findings such as maturation and history and to assess similarities and
differences among students. Part three examined academic performance and retention
data for first-year college students who took self-management compared to those who
never took the course.
Results revealed that students’ ability to self-manage and general self-efficacy
improved after participation in the course. However, non-probationary students improved
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on every variable, whereas probationary student improved in perceptions of locus of
control, general ability to self-manage, act assertively, and use organizational skills, and
general self-efficacy. Findings on academic performance suggested that the self
management course help first-year students attain higher grades in college compared to
those who do not take the course. Self-management students who attained above a 3.0
average at the end of their freshman year attained significantly higher grades in college
three semesters later compared to above average first-year students who did not take the
course. Findings showed no difference in the retention rate for self-management and
non-self-management freshmen, even though a higher proportion of academically at risk
students were in the self-management group.