Social and academic integration variables have been shown to be relevant for the understanding of university dropout. However, there is less evidence regarding the influence of these variables on dropout intention, as well as the predictive models that explain their relationships. Improvements in this topic become relevant considering that dropout intention stands as a useful measure to anticipate and intervene this phenomenon. The objective of the present study was to evaluate a predictive model for university dropout intention that considers the relationships between social and academic variables during the first university semester of 2020. The research was conducted using a cross-sectional associative-predictive design, with a convenience sampling (n = 711) due to the restrictions of the pandemic period. The results showed a good fit of the proposed hypothetical model that explained 38.7% of dropout intention. Both social support and perceived social isolation predicted the sense of belonging and, through it, engagement. Previous academic performance predicted early academic performance and, through it, engagement. The set of variables predicted the intention to quit through engagement. These results are a contribution both to the understanding of the phenomenon and to guide potential interventions in the early stages of the university experience.

Academic engagement and the conditions that favor it have become relevant in recent decades due to their relationship with academic performance, well-being, and university permanence. Variables such as perceived social support and sense of belonging are relevant aspects of social integration to promote engagement. Evidence shows both variables predicting engagement. In addition, the available evidence suggests this possible mediating role, which requires further analysis in freshmen in the emergency teaching context due to the COVID-19. The present study aims to evaluate the mediating role of sense of belonging in the relationship between perceived social support and engagement in university students. Results showed significant predictive relationships between social integration variables and engagement and showed the mediating role of sense of belonging in the relation between perceived social support and the three types of engagement. These results suggest the relevance for degree programs to consider these social integration variables as a key element for university freshmen.

La integración social en los primeros años de universidad ha mostrado ser muy relevante para propiciar que los estudiantes participen de forma comprometida, obtengan buenos resultados académicos y permanezcan en sus estudios. La pandemia por COVID-19 ha impuesto barreras a la integración social de los estudiantes, cambiando las formas de la relación interpersonal. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar un modelo en que el aislamiento y el apoyo social percibidos (variables de integración social) son predictores de la intención de abandono y se encuentran mediados por el sentido de pertenencia. Se realizó un estudio con diseño transversal asociativo-predictivo, mediante la prueba de modelos de mediación, con 700 participantes de primer año de una universidad chilena. Los resultados mostraron un efecto indirecto estadísticamente significativo de las variables de integración social sobre la intención de abandono. A su vez, no se observaron efectos directos de dichas variables sobre la intención de abandono. Estos resultados permiten, primero, indicar que, durante la educación virtual de emergencia, con sus barreras para la interacción social y académica, las variables de integración logran predecir la intención de abandonar los estudios mediante su efecto sobre el sentido de pertenencia; además, orientan las preocupaciones de las instituciones de educación superior para poner atención sobre las condiciones en las que la integración social ocurre en los medios virtuales y con las restricciones de la interacción que le son propias.

Keywords: cross-cultural comparison; migration policy; factor structure

Si bien el Study Engagement se ha vinculado con distintas variables clave para el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en educación superior existe poca claridad respecto de los factores que lo afectan, especialmente, en la educación en ingeniería. El objetivo de investigación fue evaluar la capacidad predictiva de las metas académicas, el sentido de pertenencia y el apoyo de pares sobre el Study Engagement. Se realiza un diseño de tipo asociativo-predictivo de corte transversal que incorpora la medición de estas variables en 743 estudiantes de primer año de ingeniería. Los predictores más fuertes fueron las metas de aprendizaje y la pertenencia a la carrera frente a las demás metas y el apoyo. El peso de cada variable fue distinto para cada dimensión del Engagement. Con esto los resultados contribuyen a comprender diferencias en los predictores del Engagement lo que anima potenciales intervenciones diferenciadas en función de la dimensión que se requiera estimular.

Introduction: An important concern of research about self-regulated learning is to determine the most effective methods for its instruction in different educational settings. This also happens in foreign language learning as improving proficiency is challenging for students and self-regulation has proven effective in different educational levels.Methods: A quasi-experimental study was designed with a treatment and a control group, and pre- and post-test for 70 undergraduate students majoring in English as a foreign language at a Chilean university. A 10-week intervention was conducted to develop self-regulation during emergency remote teaching.Results: Findings revealed that the intervention, as implemented in the study, was successful in improving self-regulated learning, and in participants’ recognizing the practical utility of tools acquired. On the other hand, while the level of engagement remained similar after the intervention, this was seen as a protective effect of the teaching-learning strategy on motivational states.Discussion: This research underscores the importance of self-regulated learning training in higher education to allow for students’ autonomy and agency, as well as connectedness with instructors and peers, especially during the harsh teaching conditions of sanitary confinement.