ARCHIVES
VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Work engagement and academic achievement in educational research and statistics. a mediation analysis of research resilience, research self-efficacy and research anxiety
Authors
Izuka Udoka, Christiana A Ugodulunwa
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between work engagement and
academic achievement among postgraduate students pursuing Educational Research
and Statistics at Federal Universities in Southeast Nigeria, considering the
mediating role of research resilience, research self-efficacy and research
anxiety. Employing a model testing correlational design with 1,500 students in
the population, eight hundred seventy-seven (877) as sample selected via stratified
random sampling technique. Data were gathered using structured questionnaire
and analyzed using Pearson correlation and causal modeling with bootstrapping
techniques. The study found a significant moderate negative relation between
work engagement and academic achievement (r= -.332, p < .001), implying a
stronger workplace engagement leads to lower academic performance in the said
subject. It was also revealed that research resilience and research
self-efficacy mediated the negative relation as the relationship between work
engagement and these positive psychological variables was negative, hence,
increased work engagement diminished them leading to a decrease in academic
achievement. Research anxiety also mediated the relationship negatively as work
engagement enhanced anxiety which decreased the academic performance. The
combined indirect effect (β = -0.688, p < .001) suggests that a chain
mediation occurred, and a significant direct effect implied partial mediation.
It was concluded that over-engagement in work has the capacity to deplete
critical psychological resources necessary for excellence in research courses.
University intervention programs need to be put in place to boost students’
resilience, self-efficacy and alleviate research anxiety among postgraduate
students combining work with academics.
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Pages:15-21
How to cite this article:
Izuka Udoka, Christiana A Ugodulunwa "Work engagement and academic achievement in educational research and statistics. a mediation analysis of research resilience, research self-efficacy and research anxiety". International Journal of Advanced Education and Research, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 15-21
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