A method for assessing persistence in adolescents has been developed.

Researchers from the Moscow City University of Psychology and Education have tested a new method called the "Persistence Scale," designed to assess the persistence of adolescents aged 12 to 18. Persistence is crucial for academic success and overcoming challenges. This validated method can be utilized for individual studies and in the practice of providing psychological support to teenagers.

2025-01-13 10:00:14https://naked-science.ru/article/column/nastojchivosti-u-podrostk

Researchers Maria Odintsova and Natalia Radchikova from MGPPU tested the "Persistence Scale" methodology designed for adolescents. The aim of the study was to assess the multifaceted nature of this scale, which includes three main categories: persistence in achieving goals, persistence in overcoming difficulties, and inappropriate persistence. The results of the study have been published in the scientific journal "Psychological Science and Education."

"Persistence is a key personal resource that contributes not only to academic achievements but also to overall resilience to stress. Adolescents with a high level of persistence exhibit better academic performance and greater life satisfaction. The developed scale helps identify levels of persistence and determine areas for further development among youth," notes Natalia Radchikova, PhD in Psychology and leading researcher at the PsyDATA Scientific and Practical Center for Comprehensive Support of Psychological Research at MGPPU.

Approximately two thousand adolescents aged 12 to 18 from various regions of Russia participated in the study, which divided them into three age groups: 12-13, 14-15, and 16-18 years. Confirmatory factor analysis methods were employed, which confirmed the adequacy of the three-factor model of the scale.

The initial version of the "Persistence Scale" included 20 items; however, during the study, it was found that only three subscales could be distinguished. These subscales include: persistence in achieving goals, persistence in overcoming difficulties, and inappropriate persistence. The analysis revealed that "Stability of Interests" and "Persistence in Achieving Success" did not emerge as separate subscales, which may be related to cultural perceptions of success among Russian adolescents.

Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a good fit of the three-factor model to the data, and the internal consistency of all subscales was deemed good. Correlational analysis showed expected relationships between the persistence subscales and the "Life Satisfaction Scale" and the "Multidimensional School Engagement Scale," affirming the validity of the developed scale. Furthermore, the analysis of differences by gender and age did not reveal statistically significant differences, indicating the invariance of the Persistence Scale structure concerning these factors.

The study's results emphasize the importance of developing a new Scale as a tool for assessing persistence—a crucial personal resource among adolescents. The tested methodology can be utilized for individual research and psychological support practices for teenagers.