Meaning in Life and Academic Performance Among Latin American University Students: A Moderated Serial Mediation Model

This study examined how meaning in life influences academic performance through academic engagement and adaptability, considering the moderating role of academic self-efficacy. Using structural equation modeling with 667 university students from Ecuador and Peru, results showed that the presence of meaning strongly enhances academic performance directly and indirectly. In contrast, the search for meaning had conditional effects depending on self-efficacy levels. Findings highlight the importance of motivational, adaptive, and self-regulatory resources in academic functioning.