A reciprocal, moderated mediation model of grit, engagement, and literacy achievement among dual language learners

Abstract

This short‐term longitudinal study asked (a) how and for whom socioemotional factors like grit and emotional engagement predict later literacy achievement; and (b) if there are reciprocal effects between literacy and these socioemotional factors. An autoregressive cross‐lagged (ARCR) design included 3 time points over 4 months with an ethnic minority, dual language learner sample ( n = 142; 54% female; 75% Latina/o; M = 9.47 years old). The procedure at each time point included teacher‐reported student emotional engagement and adapted grit questionnaires in addition to a student literacy achievement performance task. A reciprocal model (i.e., socioemotional factors and literacy affect each other) was compared to direct (i.e., socioemotional factors impact literacy) and reverse (i.e., literacy impacts socioemotional factors) models. Results suggested that the reciprocal model fit better than the direct and reverse models. Within the reciprocal ARCR model, grit had a significant impact on later literacy achievement via the mediator of engagement and moderated by age. Findings hold implications for education discourse on reciprocal and indirect effects of grit on achievement among older elementary‐aged dual language learners.