Explanation of Academic Self-Handicapping Based on Effective Factors: Examination of a Comprehensive Conceptual Model

This research was conducted to determine the causal relationships of variables that have most effect on academic self-handicapping in the university students of Tehran. The population was the university students of Tehran that 520 people were selected as a sample from the universities of Allameh Tabataba’i, Tehran, south branch of Payam-e-Noor & Islamic Azad through voluntary sampling. The research tools was include the short form of NEO Personality inventory, perfectionism Multidimensional Questionnaire, General self-efficacy Questionnaire, classroom motivational scale, academic self-handicapping Questionnaire, self-esteem Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using structural equations modeling. The findings provided a robust support for the hypothesized structural relationships and show that personality traits, perfectionism, self-esteem, academic performance and academic motivation could directly affect academic self-handicapping and self-efficacy could indirectly affect academic self-handicapping with the mediating effects of academic performance. Also personality traits and perfectionism could indirectly affect academic self-handicapping with the mediating effects of academic performance and academic motivation. With the increase in neuroticism and by reducing the openness experience, academic self-handicapping will probably emerge and also high level of self-esteem, self-efficacy and academic motivation Will lead to lower levels of academic self-handicapping but high level of perfectionism and academic performance Increases the academic self-handicapping behaviors.