Academic Journal of Psychology and Counseling
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): November 2025 - April 2026

Psychological interventions to improve academic motivation among first-year undergraduates in Nigeria

Victor Ayodeji Fehintola (School of Education, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo)
Omolara O. Arewa (School of Education, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo)
Hannatu Samaila (School of Education, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Feb 2026

Abstract

Academic motivation is important to students' success, yet many undergraduates have issues maintaining high levels of motivation throughout their studies. This study addressed the gap in research on effective interventions for enhancing academic motivation among undergraduate students in Oyo State, Nigeria. It investigated the effects of resilience skill training (RST) and goal-setting training (GST) with gender and academic self-efficacy as moderating variables. Using a quasi-experimental design with a 3x2x3 factorial structure, the research involved 59 university freshmen selected through multi-stage sampling. Two experimental groups (RST and GST) were compared with a control group, grounded in self-determination and social control theories. Validated instruments included the Academic Motivation Scale and the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale. Results demonstrated significant effects of interventions on academic motivation (F(2, 45) = 7.098, p = 0.002) and academic self-efficacy (F(2, 45) = 4.557, p = 0.016), while gender was not found to yield a significant effect (F(1, 45) = 1.206, p = 0.278). A significant two-way interaction emerged between intervention and academic self-efficacy (F(2, 45) = 3.837, p = 0.029). The study concludes that both RST and GST effectively enhance academic motivation among undergraduates. Key recommendations include integrating these interventions into university curricula and providing tailored interventions based on students' self-efficacy levels.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ajpc

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Neuroscience Social Sciences

Description

Academic Journal of Psychology and Counseling is a research-based psychological journal published by the Fakultas Ushuluddin dan Dakwah, Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Academic Journal of Psychology and Counseling is dedicated to developing abnormal ...