Influence of adaptation and self-efficacy on student dropout from Higher Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-57652025v30id290138

Keywords:

Higher education, self-efficacy, dropout

Abstract

Entering higher education in the context of the pandemic and remote classes can affect academic adaptation and self-efficacy, consequently influencing the decision to drop out of school. This study evaluated academic adaptation, self-efficacy beliefs in higher education, student characteristics and the dropout situation. Data was collected from 377 first-year entrants to the Business Administration, Design and Engineering courses using a sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Questionnaire of Academic Experiences - reduced version (QVA-r), and the Scale of Self-Efficacy in Higher Education (AEFS). Reduced academic adaptation can be a determining factor in dropping out of school. Those who dropped out had lower self-efficacy beliefs in higher education when compared to those who remained on the course. The findings reinforce the conceptual relationship between the constructs and the permanence of students in higher education.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Cristiane M. Barra da Matta, Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia

    Post-doctorate in Health Psychology from the Methodist University of São Paulo (2023) in the area of ​​Health, Violence and Human Adaptation. PhD in Health Psychology from the Methodist University of São Paulo (2019) with an emphasis on the School area. Master in Chemical and Biochemical Process Engineering from Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia (2011) and graduated in Food Engineering from Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia (1997). Associate professor, coordinator of the Student Support Program (since 2007), president of the Support, Permanence and Accessibility Center (since 2022) and coordinator of the Mauá Scholarship Fund (since 2015) of the Mauá Institute of Technology. Experience in the area of ​​Food Engineering, with an emphasis on developing new products, optimizing existing formulations and implementing food processing units. Investigates the following themes in School and Educational Psychology: academic experiences, self-efficacy, school performance, dropout and special education in higher education.

  • Dr. Maria do Carmo Fernandes, Universidade Metodista de São Paulo

    Psychologist from the University of São Paulo (1977), Master and PhD in Psychology from the University of Brasília (1984/1999). Researcher and reviewer at the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation - FAPESP. Retired Associate Professor at the Federal University of Uberlândia. Full Professor at the Methodist University of São Paulo between 2009 and 2023. Coordinated (2003-2008) the Postgraduate Program in Psychology at the Federal University of Uberlândia. Coordinated the Postgraduate Program in Health Psychology at the Methodist University of São Paulo (UMESP) from February/2016 to December/2021. Vice-dean of postgraduate studies and research at UMESP from April/2022 to December/2023. Founding member of the Brazilian Society of Organizational and Work Psychology (SBPOT) and member of the National Association of Research and Postgraduate Studies in Psychology (ANPEPP). Research in the area of ​​Organizational and Work Psychology and Health Psychology with a focus on measures in psychology, job satisfaction, bases of social power, resilience at work, intragroup conflicts, organizational climate, well-being at work, self-efficacy and engagement in work work and its relationships with diverse antecedents and consequences.

  • Ms. Daniel Kashiwamura Scheffer, Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia

    He has a bachelor's and master's degree in Statistics with undergraduate and postgraduate studies completed at the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of São Paulo (USP). He works as a professor in Administration and Engineering courses at the University Center of the Mauá Institute of Technology (CEUN-IMT). He has experience in the area of ​​Probability and Statistics, with an emphasis on Data Analysis.

  • Dr. Luana T. Nesi de Mello, Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia

    PhD in Psychology (2022) from the University of Algarve (UAlg). Graduated in Psychology (2018) from the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos). Works with soft skills development and training in companies. She is an Educational Psychologist at Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia (2021), postgraduate professor, author and co-author of several articles and book chapters in the areas of Positive Psychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Theory

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Published

2025-12-10

Issue

Vol. 30 (2025)

Section

Artigo

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Copyright (c) 2025 Dra. Cristiane M. Barra da Matta, Dra. Maria do Carmo Fernandes, Ms. Daniel Kashiwamura Scheffer, Dra. Luana T. Nesi de Mello

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How to Cite

Influence of adaptation and self-efficacy on student dropout from Higher Education. Avaliação: Revista da Avaliação da Educação Superior, Campinas; Sorocaba, SP, v. 30, p. e035028, 2025. DOI: 10.1590/1982-57652025v30id290138. Disponível em: https://submission.scielo.br/index.php/aval/article/view/290138. Acesso em: 18 dec. 2025.