Measuring Dropout Intention in First Year University Students

Abstract

University dropout has become an increasingly critical research topic, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen a global rise in dropout rates. This phenomenon, defined as the discontinuation of higher education before degree completion, is multifaceted, with psychological, sociological, institutional, and interactionist perspectives offering diverse insights into its causes. Despite extensive research dating back to the 1980s, there is a notable lack of standardized instruments for measuring dropout intentions, particularly in the Romanian context. This study addresses this gap by proposing and evaluating the psychometric properties of a concise, five-item scale designed to assess dropout intentions among university students. The scale demonstrated strong internal consistency and construct validity through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Additionally, measurement invariance across gender was confirmed, though the results highlight the importance of a more diverse sample in future research. The findings underscore the need for robust, theoretically grounded instruments to facilitate early detection of dropout intentions and inform targeted interventions.