ERIC Number: EJ1150423
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 34
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1675-8110
EISSN: N/A
Attachment as a Predictor of University Adjustment among Freshmen: Evidence from a Malaysian Public University
Wider, Walton; Mustapha, Mazni; Halik, Murnizam; Bahari, Ferlis
Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, v14 n1 p111-144 2017
Purpose: Building upon attachment theory and emerging theory, the current study was aimed at examining the effect of peer attachment in predicting adjustment to life in university among freshmen in a public unirvsity in East Malaysia. Furthermore, it sought to examine the influence of gender and perceived-adult status as moderators of the relationship between student attachment and student adjustment. Methodology: Data was collected from 557 freshmen in one of the public universities in East Malaysia. Two questionnaires, namely The Inventory of Parent and Peers Attachment (IPPA) and The Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) were used in this study. Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis was employed to examine the hypothesized relationships. Findings: The findings of the study showed that peer trust positively influenced academic and social adjustment. Meanwhile, peer communication positively influenced social adjustment, but negatively influenced personal-emotional adjustment. Lastly, peer alienation negatively influenced personal-emotional adjustment, but positively influenced institutional attachment. The Partial Least Square-Multi Group Analysis (PLS-MGA) results indicated no significant differences in peer attachment and university adjustment across gender and perceived-adult status. Significance: The findings of this study has empirically proven the link between attachment theory and emerging adulthood theory, providing further corroborative evidence for the argument put forth by Howes and Spieker (2008) on the alternate attachment bond during emerging adulthood period. In terms of practical benefits,, several parties who work with emerging adult clients in the Malaysian university setting will be able to benefit from the research findings, particularly counsellors and academicians.
Descriptors: Attachment Behavior, College Freshmen, Foreign Countries, Predictor Variables, Public Colleges, Student Adjustment, Questionnaires, Social Adjustment, Emotional Adjustment, Parent Student Relationship, Least Squares Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Construct Validity
Universiti Utara Malaysia Press. UUM Press, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 08010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. Tel: +60-4-928-4816; Fax: +60-4-928-4792; e-mail: uumpress@uum.edu.my; Web site: http://mjli.uum.edu.my/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Malaysia
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment; Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A