Analyzing the Impact of Classroom Group Cohesion on the Formation of Students’ Academic Social Capital
Keywords:
Group cohesion, academic social capital, classroom environment, academic engagement, studentsAbstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of classroom group cohesion on the formation of academic social capital among high school students in Tehran. This quantitative correlational–explanatory study was conducted on 368 public high school students selected through multistage cluster sampling in Tehran during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires measuring classroom group cohesion and academic social capital. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and independent-sample t-test using SPSS software. A significant positive relationship was found between group cohesion and academic social capital (r=0.68, p<0.001). Group cohesion components explained 55% of the variance in academic social capital (R²=0.55, p<0.001). Students in high-cohesion classrooms demonstrated significantly higher academic social capital than those in low-cohesion classrooms (t=9.82, p<0.001). Classroom group cohesion plays a critical role in the development of academic social capital and represents a key mechanism for improving student engagement, academic participation, and educational success.
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