The Heterogeneity and Conditional Effects of Achievement Drivers: A Logistic Regression Analysis Based on Mathematics Scores of Portuguese Middle School Students.
- 1Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China.
Abstract
Identifying students at risk of academic failure remains a central challenge for education systems. Existing research assumes linear and homogeneous effects of family capital, overlooking context-dependent resource transformation. This study integrates Conservation of Resources Theory (COR) with the Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) model to propose that maternal education functions as a conditional resource, with its impact contingent on transformation through proximal processes like family interactions. Using data from 399 Portuguese students, logistic regression and generalized random forests were employed. Logistic regression identifies mid-term performance as the strongest predictor, family relationship quality as protective, and attendance and failure history as risk factors. Generalized random forest estimation reveals a non-significant average association of maternal education, yet conditional estimates fluctuate from -0.14 to 0.47, a pattern tentatively consistent with gain and loss spirals. These findings offer preliminary evidence for resource conditionality, are consistent with a conditional-resource interpretation of family capital effects, and generate hypotheses for future testing.
Related
- Mathematics anxiety and self-efficacy among students in Hong Kong and Macao (China): socioeconomic disadvantage as a moderator of academic achievement
- Socioeconomic and Intersectional Differences in Mathematics Achievement Change: Psychosocial and Contextual Evidence from Chilean Students
- Domain-Specific Mathematics Performance of Grade 8 Students: Evidence from a K to 12 Achievement Test
- Trends in mathematics achievement among Ghanaian senior high school students: an analysis of performance patterns and contributing factors
- Teacher autonomy support and music learning engagement: conditional associations of self-efficacy and discrete achievement emotions among university music students
BibTeX
@article{zuo2026heterogeneity,
title = {{The Heterogeneity and Conditional Effects of Achievement Drivers: A Logistic Regression Analysis Based on Mathematics Scores of Portuguese Middle School Students.}},
author = {Tuxian Zuo and Hongfeng Zhang and Liwei Ding},
journal = {Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/bs16101737},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42938456},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Heterogeneity and Conditional Effects of Achievement Drivers: A Logistic Regression Analysis Based on Mathematics Scores of Portuguese Middle School Students.
AU - Tuxian Zuo
AU - Hongfeng Zhang
AU - Liwei Ding
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/bs16101737
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42938456
AB - Identifying students at risk of academic failure remains a central challenge for education systems. Existing research assumes linear and homogeneous effects of family capital, overlooking context-dependent resource transformation. This study integrates Conservation of Resources Theory (COR) with the Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) model to propose that maternal education functions as a conditional resource, with its impact contingent on transformation through proximal processes like family interactions. Using data from 399 Portuguese students, logistic regression and generalized random forests were employed. Logistic regression identifies mid-term performance as the strongest predictor, family relationship quality as protective, and attendance and failure history as risk factors. Generalized random forest estimation reveals a non-significant average association of maternal education, yet conditional estimates fluctuate from -0.14 to 0.47, a pattern tentatively consistent with gain and loss spirals. These findings offer preliminary evidence for resource conditionality, are consistent with a conditional-resource interpretation of family capital effects, and generate hypotheses for future testing.
SN - 2076-328X
ER -