Psychological Development and Education ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (3): 418-426.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2026.03.12

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The Relationship between Purpose in Life, Self-control and Academic Burnout of College Students: A Longitudinal Study

WAN Huanlan, NIU Yujie, WANG Bochen, JIN Cancan   

  1. Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083
  • Published:2026-05-15

Abstract: The present study explored the relationship between purpose in life, self-control, and academic burnout of college students. We used a half-longitudinal design to test 375 college students. The results showed that purpose in life at T1 significantly predicted self-control at T2, and self-control at T1 significantly predicted academic burnout at T2. Self-control mediated the relationship between purpose in life and academic burnout. There were two types of academic burnout among college students: “high burnout group” and “low burnout group”, with high stability of the academic burnout category. Purpose in life and self-control predicted the change in the academic burnout category. The results of this study provide an empirical basis for alleviating the academic burnout of contemporary college students and establishing correct life goals, and promote the positive development of college students.

Key words: academic burnout, purpose in life, self-control, college students

CLC Number: 

  • G442
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