The Relationship of Cognitive and Meta-Cognitive Learning Strategies, Perceived Classroom Goal Structure, and Spiritual Intelligence with Academic Achievement among Nursing Students

Introduction: Academic achievement is affected by several variables. They may include cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies, perceived classroom goal structure, and spiritual intelligence. This study aimed to examine the relationship of cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies, perceived classroom goal structure, and spiritual intelligence with academic achievement among nursing students. Methods: This is a descriptive analytical study of correlation type. The statistical population included all nursing students of Islamic Azad University of Varamin-Pishva Branch in 2012-13 academic years. Totally 180 nursing students (113 female and 67 male) were selected through stratified random sampling. All of them completed the questionnaires including Pinterage motivational strategies of learning, perceived classroom goal structure (Midgley) and Farsi version of spiritual intelligence which its validity and reliability is determined by Abdolahzade et al. Data was analyzed using stepwise regression. Results: Mastery goal structure (r=0.23), critical thinking (r=0.37), metacognitive self-regulation (r=0.42), and spiritual intelligence (r=0.31) showed a significantly positive relationship with academic achievement (P<0.05). In a predictor model, only metacognitive self-regulation, critical thinking and mastery goal structure predicted 35 percent of academic achievement. The share of metacognitive self-regulation was higher compared to other variables. Conclusion: In order to increase academic achievement, the first step is to teach metacognitive self-regulation and then critical thinking to the students and finally emphasize on understanding of lessons, to the point that classroom structure would be a mastery structure.