Correlation between Educational Satisfaction and Approaches to Study and Academic Performance a Study of Nursing and Midwifery students

Introduction: It is important to pay attention to educational satisfaction and approaches to study for learning and academic performance. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between nursing students' educational satisfaction and with approaches to study and academic performance. Methods: This descriptive co-relational study was conducted on 149 students of Nursing and Midwifery School of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, selected by convenience sampling method during 2012-2013 academic years. The data were collected using standardized questionnaires of study approaches (ASSIST) and educational satisfaction which their validity and reliability were determined. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and independent t tests. Results: The mean score of students’ educational satisfaction was 51.9±10.9 (range of scores: 14-70), and the mean score of deep and surface approaches the study were 59.9±6.3 and 53.5±8.4 respectively (range of scores 16-80). There was a statistically significant correlation between educational satisfaction and academic performance (p=0.015, r=0.2). In addition there was a positive correlation between educational satisfaction and deep approaches to study (p=0.002, r=0.26) and a negative correlation between educational satisfaction and surface approaches to study (p=0.003, r= - 0.24). Conclusion: With regard to the association between students’ educational satisfaction and their academic performances, paying attention to the role of educational satisfaction seems to be necessary considering students’ further academic achievements in university level.