The Relationship between Self-esteem and Reading Motivation: Moroccan EFL University Students as a Case Study

Abstract

This study aims primarily to investigate the relationship between Self-esteem (SE) and Reading Motivation (RM) among EFL university students in Morocco. Another aim of this research is to examine the role of gender in shaping this relationship. A questionnaire on SE, RM and socio-biographical data was completed by one hundred and eighty (N = 180) participants of undergraduate and graduate levels. Bivariate statistical analyses showed low significant correlational results using standardized summed scores of SE and RM. Moderately significant results have been observed based on SE and RM factors extracted using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) after both constructs were shown to have acceptable internal consistency. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we evaluated a direct effect measurement model to investigate the unidirectional impact of SE on RM and its concordance with the structural model. Corresponding results revealed acceptable goodness-of-fit indexes indicating the validity of the structural model and demonstrating a positive effect of SE on RM. The examination of gender-based scores showed that there was no significant difference between males and females both in SE and RM.