Comparing self-regulation in different motivational profiles in university students: a person centered analysis

Introduction: Different variables such as motivation, self-esteem, and learning methods can affect the learner during learning activity. Therefore, educational research has shown that motivation is one of the essential factors for the improvement of student performances.  Using a person-oriented approach, the present study aimed to determine the motivational profiles (clusters) of nursing students and to compare their self-regulation considering these profiles. Methods: This study was conducted with a comparative-descriptive method. The participants were 141 students in medical science university, at academic year (2016-2017) who completed the AMS (Academic Motivation Scale) and Self-regulation. The methods of hierarchy cluster analysis, ANOVA, were used for data analysis using SPSS software. Results: Cluster analysis revealed three motivational profiles for the students: 38/7% of the subjects were placed in the low quantity motivation group , 38/2% were placed in the moderate quantity motivation group, the high quantity motivation group (25). The self-regulation of low quantity motivation group was lower than the other clusters. Conclusions: The findings of this study will help those involved in the field of education make effective attempts by planning helpful educational program, so promote the students’ learning motivations, particularly the senior ones during the academic years.