A bifactor exploratory structural equation model of students’ growth-focused motivation

In the current longitudinal study, we investigated the structure of students’ (N = 1,469) specific growth constructs and their broader growth orientation using a bifactor exploratory structural equation model. We also examined the extent to which each of these components was associated with gains in students’ academic and nonacademic outcomes across one year of school. Results demonstrated unique variance attributable to specific growth constructs and broader growth orientation, suggesting that there is an integrative network of growth-focused motivation. These specific and broad growth components also presented different patterns of associations with students’ outcomes. Findings suggest educational interventions should target different components of students’ growth-focused motivation depending on the desired academic or nonacademic outcome that researchers and educators wish to improve.