The Validation of the Student Homework Goal Orientation Scale

This study assessed the validity of the Student Homework Goal Orientation Scale (SHGOS) using a sample of 597 students from Grades 7 and 9. Confirmatory analyses supported a five-factor model—mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, performance-avoidance, and work-avoidance. Reliability estimates for the subscales ranged from very good to excellent. In addition, latent mean invariance was found across both gender and grade level. As theoretically anticipated, mastery-approach was linked to lower procrastination and greater homework interest, completion, emotion regulation, and mathematics achievement, while performance-approach showed weaker associations. The avoidance subscales—particularly work-avoidance—were generally tied to maladaptive outcomes. Collectively, these results provide compelling evidence the SHGOS is a psychometrically robust measure of students’ homework goal orientations.