The relationship between self-handicapping in chemistry and chemistry academic engagement: a moderated mediation model investigation

Chemistry academic engagement has received considerable attention for its role in enhancing students’ learning and overall development. As a significant factor influencing students’ chemistry improvement, research on chemistry academic engagement has emerged as a focal point. However, the methods to improve students’ chemistry academic engagement remain limited until now. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the mechanisms of chemistry academic engagement, self-handicapping, chemistry academic buoyancy and teacher support, and offer suggestions to improve students’ academic engagement. We assumed a moderated mediation model and evaluated all variables for twelve different schools in China (N = 3344, Grade 10), then analyzed the data with structural equation models (SEM). The results suggested that (1) self-handicapping in chemistry negatively predicted chemistry academic engagement; (2) chemistry academic buoyancy moderated the relationship between chemistry academic engagement and self-handicapping to a certain extent, and this indirect effect was significant irrespective of teacher support levels; (3) instrumental support moderated the mediating process in the academic buoyancy to academic engagement pathway; (4) teacher emotional support moderated the direct and indirect pathways of the mediating process from self-handicapping in chemistry to chemistry academic engagement. Finally, we analyzed the results of this research, highlighted its educational significance, recognized the limitations and made recommendations for further research.