Examining the influences of peer and teacher support on chemistry learning satisfaction: an analysis of a serial mediation model

Abstract

Given students' perceptions of the chemistry curriculum as abstract and content-heavy, a lack of passion and motivation, as well as a low level of learning satisfaction in chemistry, have become commonplace issues for students. Therefore, increasing students' chemistry learning satisfaction has drawn plenty of interest and attention. Yet, few studies currently exist that explain how to increase students' satisfaction with their chemistry learning from both personal (growth mindset and grit) and environmental angles (teacher and peer support). Thus, this research intends to investigate how these variables connect to students' chemistry learning satisfaction. A total of 1430 tenth graders were involved in the survey. The direct and indirect connections between these variables were evaluated adopting structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings demonstrated that (1) teacher and peer support, grit in chemistry, and growth mindsets in chemistry all held a significant positive effect on students' chemistry learning satisfaction; (2) both (a) growth mindsets in chemistry and (b) grit in chemistry acted as significant mediators between the associations of teacher and peer support with chemistry learning satisfaction; and (3) (a) growth mindsets in chemistry and (b) grit in chemistry held a chain mediating impact on the associations of teacher and peer support with chemistry learning satisfaction. This may help inform chemistry educational practices to develop effective teaching and learning strategies.