Conceptual Model of the Relationship Between Metacognitive Learning Strategies and Meta-Emotion with Academic Engagement Mediated by Attributional Styles in Students With High and Low Levels of Anxiety

Authors

    Soroush Najafzade Department of Educational Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran
    Toktam Sadat Jafar Tabatabaei * Department of Educational Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran toktamtabatabaei@iau.ac.ir
    Fatemeh Shahabizade Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran
    Jalil Jarahi Friz Department of Mathematics, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran
https://doi.org/10.61838/

Keywords:

test anxiety, metacognitive learning strategies, academic engagement, attributional styles, meta-emotion

Abstract

Objective:  The aim of this study was to examine a conceptual model of the relationship between metacognitive learning strategies and meta-emotion with academic engagement, mediated by attributional styles, in students with high and low levels of anxiety.

Methods and Materials: This study employed a descriptive–correlational design using structural equation modeling and, in terms of purpose classification, was an applied research study. The statistical population included all upper secondary school students in Torbat-e Heydarieh during the 2023–2024 academic year (N = 12,713). Using G*Power software, a sample size of 372 students was determined, who were selected through multistage cluster sampling with proportional allocation by district. The research instruments included the Metacognitive Learning Strategies Questionnaire by Karimi (2002), the Meta-Emotion Scale by Mitmansgruber (2009), the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ; 1982), and the Test Anxiety Questionnaire (TA; 1996).

Findings: The results indicated that the model demonstrated adequate predictive power for the dependent variables at the 0.05 significance level. Subsequently, the model was analyzed using a factor analysis procedure in SmartPLS software. The findings showed that test anxiety did not have a significant moderating effect on the strength of the relationship between metacognitive learning strategies and academic engagement through the mediating role of attributional styles at the 0.05 significance level. In addition, test anxiety did not have a significant effect on the strength of the relationship between metacognitive learning strategies and meta-emotion with academic engagement through the mediating role of attributional styles at the 0.05 significance level.

Conclusion: The final results indicated that through the design, instruction, and practice of using metacognitive strategies, meta-emotion, and attributional styles, students’ academic engagement increases; however, these factors do not have an effect on their test anxiety.

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Published

2026-02-10

Submitted

2025-10-03

Revised

2025-12-20

Accepted

2025-12-27

How to Cite

Najafzade, S. ., Jafar Tabatabaei, T. S., Shahabizade , F., & Jarahi Friz, J. . (2026). Conceptual Model of the Relationship Between Metacognitive Learning Strategies and Meta-Emotion with Academic Engagement Mediated by Attributional Styles in Students With High and Low Levels of Anxiety. Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS), 7(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.61838/