Predicting the Motivation in College-Aged Learning Disabled Students Based on the Academic Motivation Scale

Abstract

Given the paucity of research on factors associated with motivation in learning disabled college students, the present study investigated the motivation levels in college students with learning disabilities. The Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) has been validated cross-nationally and across all educational age groups of students having various academic majors; however, it has not been used with students who have a learning disability (LD). The purpose of this study, therefore, was to validate the AMS with students with LD and determine which of the 3-, 5-, or 7-factor model best fit the sample. In addition, this study sought to verify the predictors and related factors of motivation in these students. The variables that were examined were IQ, GPA, gender, type of disability, and academic skills as they relate to motivation. Lastly, the simplex structure, which endorsed motivation to be a continuum, was also statistically verified. Findings of this study concluded that the 7-factor model as proposed by Vallerand (i.e., Vallerand, Pelletier, Blais, Brière, Senécal, & Vallières, 1992) was best suited for this sample. IQ significantly negatively predicted and was significantly inversely related to extrinsic motivation (EM), especially perceptual reasoning skills. Basic academic skills were significantly inversely related to EM, as well as a significant positive predictor of amotivation. Math skills were inversely correlated with several EM factors. There was no significant effect for gender, but students with a disability in math were significantly higher on measures of intrinsic motivation than other disability types. Finally, the simplex structure was only partially supported, since the opposite ends of the motivation continuum did not display the highest negative correlation as expected (Vallerand et al., 1992). These findings were discussed in relation to the current literature on motivation in students followed by a discussion of the limitations of the study and future directions for research in this area.