Achievement Motivation: A Case Study of the Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background: Motivation is defined as the development of an individual’s desire to succeed and participate in the activities in which success depends on personal effort and ability. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the status of achievement motivation in university students. Methods: This cross-sectional studywasconductedon۱۸۲ medical, dentistry, andpharmacology students atKermanshahUniversity of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Iran in ۲۰۱۸. The participants were selected via simple random sampling with a probability appropriate to the selected sample size. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version ۱۶ using chi-square and t-test at the significance level of ۹۵%. Results: The mean age of the participants was ۲۱.۱۴ ۱.۶۸ years (age range: ۱۹ - ۲۵ years). The mean score of achievement motivation was ۷۷.۶۴ ۷.۳۵, which indicated that the participants obtained ۶۶.۹۳% of the maximum score. In addition, ۸۹.۵% and ۱۰.۵% of the students had moderate and favorable achievement motivation, respectively. Achievement motivation was significantly correlated with age (P = ۰.۰۳۱), male gender (P = ۰.۰۲۲), and maternal education level (P = ۰.۰۱۸). Conclusions: According to the results, the achievement motivation of the majority of the KUMS students was moderate. Therefore, proper planning is required to improve the achievement motivation of these students.

Keywords:

Achievement Motivation , Student , Medical Sciences , Kermanshah