From Growth Mindset and Social Media Influence to Learning Outcomes: A PLS-SEM Study in Indonesian Higher Education
- Andika Isma — Doctoral Program in Economics, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia, Indonesia
- Andi Naila Quin Azsisah Alisyahbana — Doctoral Program in Economics, Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia
- Sahabuddin — Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, 90222, Indonesia, Indonesia
- Akhmad Khairul Shiddiq — Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, 90222, Indonesia, Indonesia
- Della Fadhilatunisa — Doctoral Program in Accounting, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia, Indonesia
- Publication History
- Published online: February 28, 2026
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.daengku4850
- Copyright
- Copyright (c) 2026 Andika Isma, Andi Naila Quin Azsisah Alisyahbana, Sahabuddin, Akhmad Khairul Shiddiq, Della Fadhilatunisa, Adi Isma
- User License
- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Abstract
This study examines how growth mindsets and social media influence shape learning outcomes through student engagement and digital literacy in digitally mediated higher education. Survey data were collected from 478 undergraduate students enrolled at higher education institutions in Indonesia and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The structural model explained 67.3% of the variance in learning outcomes, 60.5% in student engagement, and 40.7% in digital literacy, indicating a substantial explanatory power. Growth mindset positively predicted learning outcomes, student engagement, and digital literacy, with the strongest substantive effect observed on student engagement. Social media influence positively predicted student engagement and digital literacy but did not have a significant direct effect on the learning outcomes. Student engagement and digital literacy both positively predicted learning outcomes, and indirect-effect analysis confirmed several mediating pathways linking growth mindset and social media influence to learning outcomes. These findings indicate that the academic benefits of digital higher education are not produced by mindset or social media exposure alone. Learning outcomes improve when psychological dispositions and social-digital interactions are translated into active engagement and effective digital literacy.
References (23)
- APJII. (2024, February 7). APJII jumlah pengguna internet Indonesia tembus 221 juta orang. Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia. https://apjii.or.id/berita/d/apjii-jumlah-pengguna-internet-indonesia-tembus-221-juta-orang
- Ba, Y., Ming, W., & Zhang, H. (2025). Unlocking academic success: How growth mindset interventions enhance student performance through self-belief and effort regulation. Acta Psychologica, 256, 104977. doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104977.
- Badan Pusat Statistik. (2025). Telecommunication statistics in Indonesia 2024. BPS-Statistics Indonesia. https://www.bps.go.id
- Bergdahl, N., Bond, M., Sjöberg, J., Dougherty, M., & Oxley, E. (2024). Unpacking student engagement in higher education learning analytics: A systematic review. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21, 63. doi:10.1186/s41239-024-00493-y
- Burnette, J. L., Billingsley, J., Banks, G. C., Knouse, L. E., Hoyt, C. L., Pollack, J. M., & Simon, S. (2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis of growth mindset interventions: For whom, how, and why might such interventions work? Psychological Bulletin, 149(3–4), 174–205. doi:10.1037/bul0000368.
- Cabero-Almenara, J., Gutiérrez-Castillo, J. J., Guillén-Gámez, F. D., & Gaete-Bravo, A. F. (2023). Digital competence of higher education students as a predictor of academic success. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 28(2), 683–702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-022-09624-8
- Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Doo, M. Y., & Kim, J. (2024). The relationship between learning engagement and learning outcomes in online learning in higher education: A meta-analysis study. Distance Education, 45(1), 60–82. doi:10.1080/01587919.2024.2303484
- Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
- Dweck, C. S., & Yeager, D. S. (2019). Mindsets: A view from two eras. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 14(3), 481–496. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691618804166
- Eshet-Alkalai, Y. (2004). Digital literacy: A conceptual framework for survival skills in the digital era. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 13(1), 93–106.
- Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Buchner, A., & Lang, A.-G. (2009). Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods, 41(4), 1149-1160. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149
- Fredricks, J. A., Blumenfeld, P. C., & Paris, A. H. (2004). School engagement: Potential of the concept, state of the evidence. Review of Educational Research, 74(1), 59–109. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074001059
- Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage.
- Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43, 115-135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8
- Macnamara, B. N., & Burgoyne, A. P. (2023). Do growth mindset interventions impact students’ academic achievement? A systematic review and meta-analysis with recommendations for best practices. Psychological Bulletin, 149(3–4), 133–173. doi:10.1037/bul0000352.
- Pan, L., Haq, S. U., Shi, X., & Nadeem, M. (2024). The impact of digital competence and personal innovativeness on the learning behavior of students: Exploring the moderating role of digitalization in higher education quality. SAGE Open, 14(3). doi:10.1177/21582440241265919
- Ringle, C. M., Wende, S., & Becker, J.-M. (2024). SmartPLS 4. SmartPLS GmbH. https://www.smartpls.com
- Shafiq, M., & Parveen, K. (2023). Social media usage: Analyzing its effect on academic performance and engagement of higher education students. International Journal of Educational Development, 98, 102738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102738
- Smith, E. E., & Storrs, H. (2023). Digital literacies, social media, and undergraduate learning: What do students think they need to know? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20, 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00398-2
- Wang, Y., Zuo, M., He, X., & Wang, Z. (2025). Exploring students online learning behavioral engagement in university: Factors, academic performance and their relationship. Behavioral Sciences, 15(1), 78. doi:10.3390/bs15010078
- Xu, K. M., Leferink, J., & Wijnia, L. (2025). A review of the relationship between student growth mindset and self-regulated learning. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1539639. doi:10.3389/feduc.2025.1539639.
- Zakir, S., Hoque, M. E., Susanto, P., Nisaa, V., Alam, M. K., Khatimah, H., & Mulyani, E. (2025). Digital literacy and academic performance: The mediating roles of digital informal learning, self-efficacy, and students’ digital competence. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1590274. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1590274
Keywords
Citation
Statements
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
