Conscientiousness as a protective factor in academic success in international university students

Authors

  • Sarah Teperman Monash University, Australia
  • Chris Siva Monash University, Australia
  • Swati Mujumdar Monash University, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/f4v9b806

Keywords:

higher education, personality, conscientiousness , academic success, international students

Abstract

This study examines the role of conscientiousness as a protective factor in the academic success of international undergraduate students, who often face distinct academic and cultural adjustment challenges. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from a sample of international students enrolled in Australian universities. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing conscientiousness and reported their weighted average mark (WAM) as an indicator of academic performance. The findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between conscientiousness and academic achievement, suggesting that higher levels of conscientiousness are associated with better academic outcomes among international students. These results highlight the importance of personality traits as consistent predictors of academic success across cultural contexts and suggest that universities and educators should foster learning environments and interventions that promote conscientious behaviors to enhance both academic performance and student well-being.

 

References

Ackerman, P. L., Bowen, K. R., Beier, M. E., & Kanfer, R. (2001). Determinants of individual differences and gender differences in knowledge. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(4), 797–825. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.93.4.797 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-0663.93.4.797

Baklashova, T. A., & Kazakov, A. G. (2016). Challenges of International Students’ Adjustment to a Higher Education Institution. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 11(8), 1821–1832. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1114539.pdf

Bantjes, J., Saal, W., Gericke, F., Lochner, C., Roos, J., Auerbach, R. P., Mortier, P., Bruffaerts, R., Kessler, R. C., & Stein, D. J. (2020). Mental health and academic failure among first-year university students in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 51(3), 396–408. https://doi.org/10.1177/0081246320963204 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0081246320963204

Barrows, J., Dunn, S. A., & Lloyd, C. A. (2013). Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and College Exam Grades. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 1(3), 204–208. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2013.010310 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2013.010310

Bi, X. (2025). Fostering inclusive learning environments through culturally responsive pedagogy for international students in U.S. higher education. Journal of International Students, 15(6), 21-38. https://doi.org/10.32674/bd7brj48 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/bd7brj48

Boonyapison, K., Sittironnarit, G. & Rattanaumpawan, P. (2025) Association between the big five personalities and academic performance among grade 12 students at international high school in Thailand. Scientific Reports Nature 15, 16484. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01038-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01038-7

Brownfield, N., Quinn, S., Bates, G., & Thielking, M. (2023). What is eating Gilbert’s grades? Examining the impact of food insecurity and psychological distress on weighted average marks within a sample of Australian university students. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 1-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2023.2176203

Budaev S & Brown C (2011) Personality traits and behavior. Fish Cognition and Behavior. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, pp 135–165 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444342536.ch7

Busato, V., Prins, F. J., Elshout, J. J., & Hamaker, C. (2000). Intellectual ability, learning style, personality, achievement motivation and academic success of psychology students in higher education. Personality and Individual Differences, 29(6), 1057–1068. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0191-8869(99)00253-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(99)00253-6

Cantwell, B. (2015). Are international students cash cows? Examining the relationship between new international undergraduate enrollments and institutional revenue at public colleges and universities in the US. Journal of International Students, 5(4), 512–525. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v5i4.412 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v5i4.412

Chamorro-Premuzic, T., & Furnham, A. (2003). Personality predicts academic performance: Evidence from two longitudinal university samples. Journal of Research in Personality, 37(4), 319–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0092-6566(02)00578-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00578-0

Cohen J. (1992) A power primer. Psychol Bull. Jul;112(1):155-9. doi: 10.1037//0033-2909.112.1.155. PMID: 19565683. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.155

Costa, P. T., Terracciano, A., & McCrae, R. R. (2001). Gender differences in personality traits across cultures: Robust and surprising findings. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(2), 322–331. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.2.322 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.2.322

Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). The five-factor model of personality and its relevance to personality disorders. Journal of Personality Disorders, 6(4), 343–359. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.1992.6.4.343 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.1992.6.4.343

Deary, I. J., Strand, S., Smith, P., & Fernandes, C. (2007). Intelligence and educational achievement. Intelligence, 35(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2006.02.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2006.02.001

Diseth, Å. (2003). Personality and approaches to learning as predictors of academic achievement. European Journal of Personality, 17(2), 143–155. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.469 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/per.469

Fass-Holmes, B. (2016). International Undergraduates’ Retention, Graduation, and Time to Degree. Journal of International Students, 6(4), 933–955. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v6i4.327 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v6i4.327

Fossati, A., Borroni, S., Marchione, D., & Maffei, C. (2011). The Big Five Inventory (BFI). European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 27(1), 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000043 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000043

Furnham, A., & Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2004). Personality and intelligence as predictors of statistics examination grades. Personality and Individual Differences, 37(5), 949–955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2003.10.016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2003.10.016

Furnham, A., Chamorro-Premuzic, T., & McDougall, F. (2003a). Personality, cognitive ability, and beliefs about intelligence as predictors of academic performance. Learning and Individual Differences, 14(1), 47–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2003.08.002

Furnham, A., Chamorro-Premuzic, T., & McDougall, F. (2003b). Personality, cognitive ability, and beliefs about intelligence as predictors of academic performance. Learning and Individual Differences, 14(1), 49–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2003.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2003.08.002

Geramian, S. M., Mashayekhi, S., & Ninggal, M. T. (2012). The relationship between personality traits of international students and academic achievement. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 4374–4379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.257 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.257

Grayson, J. P. (2008). The experiences and outcomes of domestic and international students at four Canadian universities. Higher Education Research and Development, 27(3), 215–230. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360802183788 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360802183788

Hair, P., & Hampson, S. E. (2006). The role of impulsivity in predicting maladaptive behavior among female students. Personality and Individual Differences, 40(5), 943–952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.10.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.10.002

He, Y., & Banham, H. C. (2009). International Student Academic Performance: Some Statistical Evidence and Its Implications. American Journal of Business Education (AJBE), 2(5), 89-100. https://doi.org/10.19030/ajbe.v2i5.4073 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19030/ajbe.v2i5.4073

John, O. P., & Srivastava, S. (1999). The Big Five Trait taxonomy: History, measurement, and theoretical perspectives. In L. A. Pervin & O. P. John (Eds.), Handbook of Personality: Theory and Research (2nd ed., pp. 102–138). Guilford Press.

Hellstén, M. (2002). Students in transition: Needs and Experiences of International Students in Australia. New Times New Approaches. 16th Australian International Education Conference, 1–13.

Ivanova, P., Sun, Y., Li, W., & Bista, K. (2025). International students’ loneliness and social engagement: Narratives from the United States and Japan. Journal of International Students, 15(4), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.32674/y6hw0n78 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/y6hw0n78

Kaya, J. (2020). Inside the international student world. Journal of International Students, 10(1), 124–144. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v10i1.1031 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v10i1.1031

Koca, B. B., & Karadağ, E. (2025). Relationships between student engagement in higher

education and academic success and desire to attend university. Journal of International Students, 15(10), 137-152. https://doi.org/10.32674/p5v42952 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/p5v42952

Koyuncuoglu, O. (2020). An Investigation of Academic Motivation and Career Decidedness among University Students. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 7(1), 125–143. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijres.1694 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46328/ijres.1694

Krueger, R. F., & Johnson, W. (2008). Behavioral genetics and personality: A new look at the integration of nature and nurture. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (pp. 287–310). The Guilford Press.

Kwak, S. G., & Kim, J. H. (2017). Central limit theorem: the cornerstone of modern statistics. Korean journal of anesthesiology, 70(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2017.70.2.144 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2017.70.2.144

Latkin, C. A., Edwards, C., Davey‐Rothwell, M., & Tobin, K. E. (2017). The relationship between social desirability bias and self-reports of health, substance use, and social network factors among urban substance users in Baltimore, Maryland. Addictive Behaviors, 73, 133–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.05.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.05.005

Lin, F. (2006). Solving multicollinearity in the process of fitting regression model using the nested estimate procedure. Quality & Quantity, 42(3), 417–426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-006-9055-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-006-9055-1

Lin, Y., & Guo, K. (2025). International students in Australia: reflections, contemporary trends, and future directions. Applied Mobilities, 10(4), 437–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/23800127.2025.2506238 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23800127.2025.2506238

Lowe, H., & Cook, A. (2003). Mind the gap: are students prepared for higher education? Journal of Further and Higher Education, 27(1), 53–76 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03098770305629

McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (1987). Validation of the five-factor model of personality across instruments and observers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(1), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.52.1.81 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.52.1.81

Meng, X. H., & Chang, Y. C. (2025). Impact of Students' Perceptions of Teachers' Transformational Leadership on Academic Achievement in Applied Universities in Hebei Province, China: Mediation by Psychological Capital and Self-Regulation, Moderation by Conscientiousness. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social & Community Studies, 20(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-0020/CGP/v25i01/107-131

Morris, T. T., Dorling, D., Davies, N. M., & Davey Smith, G. (2021). Associations between school enjoyment at age 6 and later educational achievement: evidence from a UK cohort study. Npj Science of Learning, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00092-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00092-w

Pallant, J. F. (2013). SPSS survival manual: a step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 37(6), 597–598. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12166 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12166

Pernet, C R., Wilcox, R., & Rousselet, G. A. (2013). Robust Correlation Analyses: False Positive and Power Validation Using a New Open Source MATLAB Toolbox. Frontiers in Psychology, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00606 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00606

Richardson, M. M., & Abraham, C. (2009). Conscientiousness and achievement motivation predict performance. European Journal of Personality, 23(7), 589–605. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.732 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/per.732

Roberts, B. W., Lejuez, C., Krueger, R. F., Richards, J. M., & Hill, P. L. (2014). What is conscientiousness and how can it be assessed? Developmental Psychology, 50(5), 1315– 1330. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031109

Schmitt, D. P., Allik, J., McCrae, R. R., Benet-Martínez, V., Alcalay, L., Ault, L. K., Austers, I., Bennett, K. J., Bianchi, G., Boholst, F., Cunen, M. a. B., Braeckman, J., Brainerd, E. G., Caral, L. G. A., Caron, G., Casullo, M. M., Cunningham, M. J., Daibo, I., De Backer, C. J. S., . . . Spyrou, S. I. (2007). The geographic distribution of big five personality traits. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 38(2), 173–212. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022106297299 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022106297299

Settles, R. E., Fischer, S., Cyders, M. A., Combs, J. L., Gunn, R. L., & Smith, G. T. (2012). Negative urgency: A personality predictor of externalizing behavior characterized by neuroticism, low conscientiousness, and disagreeableness. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 121(1), 160–172. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024948 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024948

Shu, F. H., McAbee, S. T., & Ayman, R. (2017). The HEXACO personality traits, cultural intelligence, and international student adjustment. Personality and Individual Differences, 106, 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.10.024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.10.024

Srivastava, S., John, O. P., Gosling, S. D., & Potter, J. (2003). Development of personality in early and middle adulthood: Set like plaster or persistent change? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(5), 1041–1053. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.5.1041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.5.1041

Trapmann, S., Hell, B., Hirn, J. W., & Schuler, H. (2007). Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between the Big Five and Academic Success at University. Journal of Psychology, 215(2), 132–151. https://doi.org/10.1027/0044-3409.215.2.132 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1027/0044-3409.215.2.132

Trice, A. G. (2003). Faculty Perceptions of Graduate International Students: the benefits and challenges. Journal of Studies in International Education, 7(4), 379–403. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315303257120 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315303257120

Widiger, T. A., & Oltmanns, J. R. (2017). Neuroticism is a fundamental domain of personality with enormous public health implications. World Psychiatry, 16(2), 144–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20411 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20411

Xue, W., & Kaur Mehar Singh, M. (2025). Unveiling the academic, sociocultural, and psychological adaptation challenges of Chinese international students in Malaysia: A systematic review. Journal of International Students, 15(2), 69-86. https://doi.org/10.32674/37286t88 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/37286t88

Downloads

Published

2026-04-14

How to Cite

Teperman, S., Siva, C., & Mujumdar, S. (2026). Conscientiousness as a protective factor in academic success in international university students. Journal of International Students, 16(13), 25-44. https://doi.org/10.32674/f4v9b806