Predicting needs: A longitudinal investigation of the relation between student characteristics, academic paths, and self-authorship

Using a survey of self-authorship (Pizzolato, 2004), this longitudinal study investigated to what extent particular student characteristics (e.g., demographics characteristics, academic preparation characteristics) and the college environment (i. e., academic and living environment) influence self-authorship development. Findings in this exploratory study with 368 undergraduate students suggest that when subscales of self-authorship were explored some student characteristics (e.g., sex, prior academic experiences, being a transfer student) and the college academic environment significantly predicted various subscales of self-authorship development. This research adds to our understanding of the complexity of self-authorship and what contributes to students' development of self-authorship.