This study conducted during the lockdown period by COVID-19 pandemic on 1st-year medical students illustrated the presence of the possible factors that could affect the academic motivation: quality of life affecting by and the level of psychological destruction from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The total number of respondents was 273, with an average age of 17.44. 203 (74.6%) were female, and 70 (25.6%) were male students.
Intrinsic motivation is the doing of an activity for its inherent satisfactions rather than for some separable consequence [14]. Fear of COVID-19 (r = 0.143, r = 0.133, p < 0.05), psychological collapse (r = -0.154, r = -0.202, p < 0.05) and negative changes in quality of life due to the COVID-19 (r = -0.133, r = -0.177 p < 0.01) were associated with intrinsic motivation, in particular, with intrinsic motivation to know, respectively. Intrinsic motivation toward accomplishment correlated with psychological collapse (r = -0.124, p < 0.05) and intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation - with fear of COVID-19 (r = 0.157, p < 0.01).
Extrinsic motivation is a construct that pertains whenever an activity is done in order to attain some separable outcome [14]. Extrinsic motivation positively associated with fear of COVID-19 (r = 0.136, p < 0.05).
Amotivation is the state of lacking an intention to act. When amotivated, a person’s behavior lacks intentionality and a sense of personal causation [14]. In current study the level of amotivation positively correlated with psychological collapse (r = -0.449) and negative changes in quality of life (r = 0.324), p < 0.01.
Linear regression analysis revealed that COV19-QoL (β = -0.547) and COVID-19 psychological destruction (β = -0.238) was predictors of academic motivation, p < 0.001. Anxiety about the future in case of infection had the effect on both intrinsic (β = 0.213, p < 0.001) and extrinsic motivation (β = 0.194, p = 0.001). However, significant relationship between the level of motivation and diagnosis of COVID-19 was not found. The feeling of inability to overcome life's difficulties during a pandemic was negatively associated with motivation for knowledge (β = -0.219, p < 0.001), and the lack of desire to do anything due to a pandemic with intrinsic motivation in general (β = -0.208, p = 0.001). Difficulty handling stress caused by uncertainty about the future was a major predictor of amotivation (β = 0.421, p < 0.001). Opinion that mental health has deteriorated due to the outbreak of coronavirus infection was associated with intrinsic motivation (β = -0.173, p < 0.05) and amotivation (β = 0.357, p < 0.001).
Thus, the factors associated with academic motivation among 1st-year medical students were identified. Fear of the COVID-19 was positively associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation levels. Whereas psychological collapse and a decrease in the quality of life during a pandemic were negatively associated with motivation and positively associated with the level of amotivation. Further research is needed to assess the effects of global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic on motivation and identity formation of any stage medical students.