Threat Stress Appraisals Moderate the Relationship Between Social Support and Degree Commitment

Presentation Year

2022

College or Department

College of Professional Studies

Short Description of your Research or Creative Project (700 characters or less)

We examined the role of social support and perceptions of stress in predicting college students' degree commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students high in threat appraisals tend to interpret stressors as harmful or anxiety-inducing. These negative dispositional perceptions of stress are linked to lower motivation. Meanwhile, greater social support is related to greater college persistence, although students’ ability to cope can mitigate the beneficial effects of social support. We found support for a moderating effect of threat appraisals on the relationship between social support and degree commitment. Implications for student success and the importance of reappraisals are discussed.

Permission to Publish Work

Yes