FATHER INVOLVEMENT AND ACADEMIC MOTIVATION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: THE LIMITED MEDIATING ROLE OF SELF-EFFICACY
The Limited Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v15i2.8155Keywords:
Father Involvement, Self-Efficacy, Academic Motivation, Fatherlessness, Mixed-Methods ResearchAbstract
This study examined the relationship between father involvement, self-efficacy, and academic motivation among university students, particularly among students experiencing fatherlessness. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed involving 91 students from the Social Studies Education Program at UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang. Quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and PROCESS Macro Model 4 mediation analysis, while qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews and open-ended questionnaire responses. The findings showed that father involvement had a significant positive effect on academic motivation, while self-efficacy also positively predicted academic motivation. However, self-efficacy did not significantly mediate the relationship between father involvement and academic motivation. Qualitative findings revealed that fatherless students tended to experience emotional vulnerability, loneliness, and insecurity, but many developed resilience, forced independence, and survival-oriented motivation. In contrast, students with higher father involvement demonstrated greater emotional security, confidence, and academic persistence due to paternal emotional support and role modeling. Open-ended responses further indicated that emotional presence, communication, encouragement, and paternal example were perceived as more meaningful than financial support alone. Overall, the study suggests that father involvement serves as an important psychological and motivational resource in students’ academic lives, while academic motivation among fatherless students may emerge from resilience, family responsibility, and self-proof rather than self-efficacy alone.
References
Abu-Bader, S., & Jones, T. V. (2021). Statistical Mediation Analysis Using the Sobel Test and Hayes SPSS Process Macro. International Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, 9(1), 42–61.
Adeyeye, G. M., & Dasoo, N. (2024). The Role of Family Support in Enhancing Higher Education Attainment: A Comparative Study across Socioeconomic Backgrounds. International Journal of Multicultural Education, 26(3), 322–341.
Ahmed, S. K. (2024). The Pillars of Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 2, 100051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100051
AL-Qadri, A. H., Mouas, S., Saraa, N., & Boudouaia, A. (2024). Measuring Academic Self-Efficacy and Learning Outcomes: The Mediating Role of University English Students’ Academic Commitment. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 9(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-024-00253-5
Armstrong, C. (2021). Key Methods Used in Qualitative Document Analysis. OSF Preprints, 1(9), 1–9. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3996213
Asipi, L. S., Rosalina, U., & Nopiyadi, D. (2022). The Analysis of Reading Habits Using Miles and Huberman Interactive Model to Empower Students’ Literacy at IPB Cirebon. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 2(3), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.58557/ijeh.v2i3.98
Aviva, S. P. A., & Jannah, M. (2023). Eksplorasi Loneliness pada Dewasa Awal Exploration of Loneliness in Early Adulthood. Character: Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 10(02), 203–212. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26740/cjpp.v10i2.53184
Bakker, A. B., & Mostert, K. (2024). Study Demands–Resources Theory: Understanding Student Well-Being in Higher Education. Educational Psychology Review, 36(3), 92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-024-09940-8
Bandura, A. (1991). Social Cognitive Theory of Self-Regulation. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 248–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90022-L
Basileo, L. D., Otto, B., Lyons, M., Vannini, N., & Toth, M. D. (2024). The Role of Self-Efficacy, Motivation, and Perceived Support of Students’ Basic Psychological Needs in Academic Achievement. Frontiers in Education, 9, 1385442. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1385442
Bienkowska, J., & Sikorski, C. (2024). Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods: A Balanced Approach to Management Research. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 15(1), 345–360. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-0115
Chand, S. P. (2025). Methods of Data Collection in Qualitative Research: Interviews, Focus Groups, Observations, and Document Analysis. Advances in Educational Research and Evaluation, 6(1), 303–317. https://doi.org/10.25082/AERE.2025.01.001
Christina, M. (2022). Hubungan antara Mattering to Peers dengan Kesepian pada Dewasa Awal. Jurnal Psibernetika, 15(1), 34–46. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.30813/psibernetika.v1i15.3298
Creswell, J. W., & Inoue, M. (2025). A Process for Conducting Mixed Methods Data Analysis. Journal of General and Family Medicine, 26(1), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgf2.736
Diva Devina, U., & Qudsyi, H. (2025). Fathers Who Stay Involved: The Key to Psychological Well-Being in Emerging Adulthood? Proceedings of the 7th International Seminar on Psychology Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, ISPsy 2025, 29th May 2025, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia. Proceedings of the 7th International Seminar on Psychology Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, ISPsy 2025, 29th May 2025, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.29-5-2025.2360776
Donkoh, S. (2023). Application of Triangulation in Qualitative Research. Journal of Applied Biotechnology & Bioengineering, 10(1), 6–9. https://doi.org/10.15406/jabb.2023.10.00319
Draucker, C. B., Rawl, S. M., Vode, E., & Carter-Harris, L. (2020). Integration Through Connecting in Explanatory Sequential Mixed Method Studies. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 42(12), 1137–1147. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945920914647
Dumanjug, H., Serato, J., Vicente, M. K., Panaguiton, J., & Recto, Z. S. (2024). Exploring Gender Differences in Self- Efficacy and Academic Performance among College Students. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 4(3), 397–409. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.eduline3037
Ellis, J. E. Jr. (2025). The Epidemic of Fatherlessness: Implications for Ethical Development and Mental Health [Doctoral Dissertation, Liberty University]. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6917
Fauzana, K. (2023). Dampak Keterlibatan Ayah dalam Pengasuhan Remaja: Sebuah Studi Literatur. Happiness: Journal of Psychology and Islamic Science, 7(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.30762/happiness.v7i1.874
Gorghiu, G., Santi, E. A., & Pribeanu, C. (2024). An Analyze of the Relationship Between Students’ Motivation, Self-efficacy, and Academic Resilience. Educatia 21, (29), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.24193/ed21.2024.29.09
Guo, W., Wang, J., Li, N., & Wang, L. (2025). The Impact of Teacher Emotional Support on Learning Engagement Among College Students Mediated by Academic Self-Efficacy and Academic Resilience. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 3670. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88187-x
Hapsari, S. (2025). Self-Acceptance in Fatherless Early Adult Women due to Parental Divorce. Jurnal Psikologi Tabularasa, 20(2), 232–251. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26905/jpt.v20i2.15955
Haq, E. U., & Khan, S. (2024). The Influence of Broken Homes on Students’ Academic Performance in Schools. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 2(4), 339–361.
He, A. (2024). Measuring The Effects of Fatherlessness on Academic Performance in College Populations [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Wyoming Libraries]. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15786/wyoscholar/9876
Hyder, H., & Anbar, N. G. (2025). The Impact of Parental Involvement on Their Children’s Academic Success. American Journal of Education and Technology, 4(1), 62–80. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajet.v4i1.4141
Igartua, J.-J., & Hayes, A. F. (2021). Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis: Concepts, Computations, and Some Common Confusions. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 24, e49. https://doi.org/10.1017/SJP.2021.46
Jameel, A., Ma, Z., Li, M., Hussain, A., Asif, M., & Wang, Y. (2024). The Effects of Social Support and Parental Autonomy Support on The Mental Well-Being of University Students: The Mediating Role of a Parent–Child Relationship. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 622. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03088-0
Jehanghir, M., Ishaq, K., & Akbar, R. A. (2024). Effect of Learners’ Autonomy on Academic Motivation and University Students’ Grit. Education and Information Technologies, 29(4), 4159–4196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11976-2
Li, Y., Sueb, R., & Said Hashim, K. (2025). The Relationship Between Parental Autonomy Support, Teacher Autonomy Support, Peer Support, And University Students’ Academic Engagement: The Mediating Roles of Basic Psychological Needs and Autonomous Motivation. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1503473. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1503473
Liu, C., Shi, Y., & Wang, Y. (2022). Self-Determination Theory in Education: The Relationship between Motivation and Academic Performance of Primary School, High School, and College Students: 670, 923–929. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220704.167
Maghfirah, S. (2025). Living In a Fatherless Family: A Descriptive Qualitative Study on Children’s Mental and Emotional Well-Being. Indonesia Journal of the World, 2(5), 187–194.
Mardhoti, R. (2025). Religiosity as a Coping Mechanism for Burnout: A Case Study of Women Experiencing Fatherlessness. Jurnal Psikologi Terapan, 8(1), 38–48.
Marlina, E., Purwaningsih, M., Siagian, A. H. A. M., Al Hakim, S., & Maryati, I. (2025). Ensuring Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research: The Role of Triangulation Techniques. In Qualitative Research Methods for Dissertation Research, 347–376. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3069-2.ch012
Mishra, B. (2025). Parental Involvement and Its Influence on Students’ Learning Outcomes. International Journal of Education and Science Research Review, 12(6), 287–294.
Morgan, H. (2024). Using Triangulation and Crystallization to Make Qualitative Studies Trustworthy and Rigorous. The Qualitative Report, 29(7), 1844–1856. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.6071
Moussa, M. A., & Amer, A. N. E. S. (2024). The Academic Motivation Scale: Evaluation Evidence of Intrinsic, Extrinsic, and Amotivation in Faculty of Education Students. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 11(4), 283–294. https://doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2024.11.4.1302
Ojo, A. O., Ravichander, S., Tan, C. N.-L., Anthonysamy, L., & Arasanmi, C. N. (2024). Investigating Student’s Motivation and Online Learning Engagement Through The Lens of Self-Determination Theory. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 16(5), 2185–2198. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-09-2023-0445
Özyıldırım, G. (2024). Does Parental Involvement Affect Student Academic Motivation? A Meta-Analysis. Current Psychology, 43(36), 29235–29246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06568-3
Pham, T. T. H., Ho, T. T. Q., Nguyen, B. T. N., Nguyen, H. T., & Nguyen, T. H. (2024). Academic Motivation and Academic Satisfaction: A Moderated Mediation Model of Academic Engagement and Academic Self-Efficacy. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 16(5), 1999–2012. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-10-2023-0474
Pleck, J. H., & Masciadrelli, B. P. (1997). Paternal Involvement: Levels, Sources, and Consequences. In The Role of the Father in Child Development (Ed., Vol. 3, pp. 66–103). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350670201
Ramadhani, Y. A., Dzulkifli, & Rosyiana, I. (2025). The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Social Support with Self-Confidence in High School/Vocational School Students Without a Father Figure in Surabaya. Proceeding International Symposium on Global Education, Psychology, and Cultural Synergy, 2(1), 212–219. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30651/psychoseries.v1i1.28683
Rismayanti, R., Rayhan, M. A., Adzim, Q. K. E., & Fatihah, L. A. (2023). Pengaruh Motivasi Instrinsik dan Motivasi Ekstrinsik Terhadap Proses Pembelajaran Mahasiswa Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan, Sains Dan Teknologi, 2(2), 251–261. https://doi.org/10.47233/jpst.v2i2.742
Schuler, M. S., Coffman, D. L., Stuart, E. A., Nguyen, T. Q., Vegetabile, B., & McCaffrey, D. F. (2025). Practical Challenges in Mediation Analysis: A Guide for Applied Researchers. Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology, 25(1), 57–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10742-024-00327-4
Schunk, D. H., & DiBenedetto, M. K. (2021). Self-Efficacy and Human Motivation. In Advances in Motivation Science (Vol. 8, pp. 153–179). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.adms.2020.10.001
Shengyao, Y., Salarzadeh Jenatabadi, H., Mengshi, Y., Minqin, C., Xuefen, L., & Mustafa, Z. (2024). Academic Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation: The Role of Parenting Style. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 5571. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55530-7
Vallerand, R. J., Pelletier, L. G., Blais, M. R., Briere, N. M., Senecal, C., & Vallieres, E. F. (1992). The Academic Motivation Scale: A Measure of Intrinsic, Extrinsic, and Amotivation in Education. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 52(4), 1003–1017. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164492052004025
Zhu, X., Dou, D., & Karatzias, T. (2024). Parental Influence on Child Social and Emotional Functioning. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1392772. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392772
Zulfa, V., Mulyati, M., & Ana, N. (2025). The Effect of Adolescent Boys’ Attachment to Fathers on Social and Emotional Development. JITSS (Journal of Innovation and Trend in Social Sciences), 2(2), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.63203/jitss.v2i2.132
Zulfiqar, N., Shafi, M. T., & Ajmal, R. (2025). Academic Achievement of First-Generation University Students in Spotlight: Role of Parental Involvement, Autonomy Support, and Academic Motivation. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 27(1), 157–177. https://doi.org/10.1177/15210251231160774




.png)













