Modeling the structural relationships between Motivational Persistence, Task Value, and Action–State Orientation among university students

Abstract

This study aimed to model the structural relationships among motivational persistence, task value, and action–state orientation among university students using structural equation modeling (SEM). A descriptive correlational design was adopted to examine the direct and indirect effects among the study variables. The sample consisted of 400 university students selected through proportional stratified random sampling from scientific and humanitarian disciplines. Validated measures of motivational persistence, task value (intrinsic value, utility value, and cost), and action–state orientation (failure-related, decision-related, and performance-related orientations) were applied. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the construct validity of the instruments, and model fit indices indicated acceptable structural model adequacy. The results revealed that task value had statistically significant direct effects on all dimensions of action–state orientation, indicating its central role in facilitating the transition from intention to action. In contrast, motivational persistence did not show significant direct effects on action–state orientation, nor significant indirect effects through task value. These findings suggest that motivational persistence alone is insufficient to predict action unless accompanied by a strong evaluative perception of task value. The study highlights the importance of task value as a key regulatory mechanism within the framework of Action Control Theory, offering practical implications for enhancing self-regulated behavior among university students.