Online Learning Readiness, Student Engagement, and Retention Intention among Higher Education Students in Kuwait

Background: Online learning outcomes may relate to students? preparedness and participation, but intention to continue is distinct from verified institutional retention. This study examined the associations among online learning readiness, student engagement, and retention intention among higher-education students in Kuwait. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire was administered online from 1-20 September 2026. The supplied dataset included 100 complete responses recruited through personal contacts and community WhatsApp groups. Readiness (20 items), engagement (24 items), and a broad continuation-related index (19 items) were scored as mean Likert responses. Analyses included descriptive statistics, internal consistency, Pearson and Spearman correlations, and a joint regression with HC3 robust coefficient inference. Results: Mean readiness was 4.398 (SD 0.716), engagement 4.353 (SD 0.727), and the broad continuation-related score 4.258 (SD 0.762), on a five-point scale. Pairwise associations were positive: readiness-engagement, r = .890; readiness-retention intention, r = .792; and engagement-retention intention, r = .832 (all p < .001). In the joint model, engagement remained positively associated with the outcome (B = 0.643, HC3 95% CI 0.382-0.903, p < .001), while the readiness coefficient was uncertain (B = 0.262, 95% CI -0.025-0.549, p = .073). The model explained 70.6% of sample variance; this is not evidence of out-of-sample prediction. A narrower, exploratory direct-intention item subset showed a similar pattern. Conclusion: In this convenience sample, higher self-reported readiness and engagement co-occurred with stronger continuation intentions, with engagement showing the more stable adjusted association. Cross-sectional self-report data, unvalidated item sets, influential observations, and nonprobability recruitment preclude causal or population-wide conclusions. No subsequent enrollment was measured; formal ethics approval was not obtained and requires transparent institutional guidance before publication.