ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of the level of satisfaction of college students with their major between the motivation behind their major selection and their adjustment to school life. Method: A total of 262 college students who will be majoring in occupational therapy in the capital area were used as the subjects and were given a survey. An analysis was conducted to determine the correlation among the different factors considered. A hierarchical multiple regression was employed to measure the mediating effect of the students’ satisfaction with their major on the relationship between the motivation of their major selection and their adjustment to school life. Result: According to the results of this study, statistically significant positive correlations were found among the motivation of their major selection, satisfaction with their major, and adjustment to school life. In addition, their satisfaction with their major produced a partial mediating effect on the relationship between their satisfaction with their major and their adjustment to school life (β = .334, β = .371). Conclusion: This study confirmed that adjustment to school life was affected by the motivation behind the students’ major selection and satisfaction with their major. In addition, satisfaction with their major is partially mediated between the motivation behind their major selection and satisfaction with their major. Therefore, to improve the students’ adjustment to school life, it is important to know the interactive role behind the motivation to select their major, as well as their satisfaction with their major, and the source of such satisfaction.