University engagement of dental students related to educational environment: A transnational study

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the validity and reliability of the University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI) in its complete and reduced versions with Brazilian and USA students, and to evaluate the influence of gender and academic level on students’ university engagement in both countries. Methods A cross-sectional observational study with a non-probability sample was conducted. The sample comprised dental students of both genders, 154 from a university in New York, USA (response rate 91.1%) and 459 from two universities in Brazil (response rate 79.1%). University engagement was measured using the USEI. The samples were characterized by gender and academic level. Results The refined reduced version of the USEI presented adequate fit to the samples from both countries. Gender was associated with the behavioral engagement factor of the USEI in Brazilian students. In the USA sample, gender was associated with the behavioral and cognitive engagement factors. There was a significant effect of academic level on behavioral and emotional engagement for the Brazilian and USA samples, respectively. Conclusion The refined reduced USEI presented adequate psychometric qualities for the study samples.

Measurement of student engagement in health professions education: a review of literature

“…Items are assessed on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). An evidence of construct validity of the scores from the reduced version has been demonstrated by confirmatory factor analysis, which supported the three-factor model with significant correlations between the subscales [ 30 , 31 ]. In addition, emotional and behavioral engagement scores correlated negatively with perceived burnout [ 32 ].…”

“…This version is composed of 32 items distributed in three dimensions covering behavioral (11 items), emotional (10 items), and cognitive (11 items) engagement. However, a reduced version that consists of 15 items has demonstrated better psychometric properties [ 30 ]. The short version has been used for measuring engagement of medical [ 31 ], dental [ 30 ], and pharmacy [ 32 ] students.…”

“…However, a reduced version that consists of 15 items has demonstrated better psychometric properties [ 30 ]. The short version has been used for measuring engagement of medical [ 31 ], dental [ 30 ], and pharmacy [ 32 ] students. Questionnaire items are distributed in a three-factor structure covering the three dimensions of engagement: behavioral (5 items), emotional (5 items), and cognitive (5 items).…”

“…In addition, emotional and behavioral engagement scores correlated negatively with perceived burnout [ 32 ]. The questionnaire has also demonstrated an acceptable reliability (≥ 0.7) using composite reliability (CR) and Cronbach’s alpha [ 30 ].…”

Correction: University engagement of dental students related to educational environment: A transnational study

“…There is an error in reference 1 . The correct reference is: Maroco J, Maroco AL, Campos JADB, Fredricks JA.…”