A Comparison of Behavioral Self-Control in Different Profiles of Hope among the Students of Shahed High Schools: A Person-Centered Analysis

Different variables such as motivation, self-esteem and learning methods can affect learners during the learning process. Research evidence has shown that hope is one of the essential factors which can improve students’ performance. Using a person-oriented approach, the present study aimed to determine the motivational profiles of high school students and to compare their behavioral self-control considering these profiles. This is a comparative causal-descriptive study in which 204 Shahed high school students of district 3 in Tabriz, Iran at the academic year 2017-2018 participated and completed the Tangeny Self-Control Scale and the Snyder Hope Scale. For data analysis, SPSS software and cluster analysis and one-way analysis of variance were utilized. Based on the results of the cluster analysis, three motivational clusters were obtained for the students: 38.2% in the low quantity cluster, 38.7% in the medium quantity cluster and 25% in the high quantity cluster. Behavioral self-control in the low quantity cluster was lower than that of other clusters (P<0.001). The findings could help educators take effective measures by designing educational intervention programs to promote and maintain hope among high school students during the school years.