Character development outcomes : a predictive model for tertiary institutions

Abstract

Higher education institutions are facing challenges in the area of character development as manifested in the percentages of college completion rates, teen pregnancies, drug abuse, sexual abuse, suicide, marriage out of wedlock, plagiarism and lack of academic integrity, and violence among their students. What then can tertiary institutions do to limit or curb down these problems? The majority of the studies about character development have developed linear models for character development considering one factor and how it influences character development. More so, these prior studies are mainly conducted in private institutions and in developed countries. But with the complexity of the nature of students due to the changing world, a multidimensional approach combining multiple factors that enhance character development outcomes is needed to suit the changing trends. Thus, this study aimed at filling this gap by providing a starting point through developing a predictive model for character development outcomes. A survey questionnaire composed of 7 scales was administered to a total of five hundred and one 3rd and 4th year students in selected state universities and colleges in Cavite, Philippines for data collection of this study. The independent variables were inclassroom interaction, out-of-classroom interaction, school climate, personal lifestyle, home environment, and peer influence and the dependent variable was character development outcomes. Using structural equation modelling, this study developed a model to explain character development outcomes among students in state universities and colleges. Particularly respondents were the students in the 3rd year and 4th year of study. The predictive model developed explained 57% of the variance in character development outcomes. Findings from the results of the analysis showed that inclassroom interactions have a substantial direct influence on character development outcomes of the students (r = .75, p < .05). In addition, out-of-classroom interaction, school climate, and home environment contribute to students’ character development outcomes but in an indirect way. From the findings of this study, we can conclude that the classroom holds a significant location for teachers to teach, model, and integrate character development among their students. Basically, colleges and universities should seek to deliberately boost and implement experiences that cultivate character in the classroom like improving faculty-student relationships, student-student relationships, and active participation of students in classroom leadership roles and activities.