Cross-Lagged Associations Among Expectancy-Value-Cost Beliefs in Adolescent Students’ Mathematics Academic Outcomes

To explore students' math motivation from a situated expectancy-value perspective, we investigated the longitudinal interrelations among self-efficacy, interest value, utility value, and effort cost, along with their connections to academic achievement and future choice intentions over one year. The latent cross-lagged path model, based on a sample of 626 Chinese adolescent students, revealed a bidirectional relationship between self-efficacy and effort cost within a semester. Previous self-efficacy and interest value also negatively predicted subsequent effort cost across semesters. Additionally, prior interest value had a lasting positive effect on later self-efficacy and utility value across semesters. Regarding the distinct predictive relationships between motivational beliefs and academic outcomes, self-efficacy and interest positively predicted future choice intentions and academic achievement, while effort cost negatively predicted achievement. In conclusion, the longitudinal dynamics and predictive utility of students' motivational beliefs are complex and ever-changing, suggesting that future research should differentiate between more specific value facets and explore domain-specific motivation.