A Scoping Review on Psychological Capital and Its Impact on Academic Outcomes

Psychological Capital (PsyCap) is an emerging construct in positive psychology that has garnered significant attention in organizational and academic contexts. While extensively studied in workplace settings, PsyCap’s relevance in academic environments is increasingly recognized, as it influences s...

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Main Authors: Huong Thi Pham, Phuong Vu Nguyen, Long Thanh Nguyen, Ho Phi Vu Pham, Loan Thi Nguyen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: VJE 2025-06-01
Series:Vietnam Journal of Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://vje.vn/index.php/journal/article/view/688
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author Huong Thi Pham
Phuong Vu Nguyen
Long Thanh Nguyen
Ho Phi Vu Pham
Loan Thi Nguyen
author_facet Huong Thi Pham
Phuong Vu Nguyen
Long Thanh Nguyen
Ho Phi Vu Pham
Loan Thi Nguyen
author_sort Huong Thi Pham
collection DOAJ
description Psychological Capital (PsyCap) is an emerging construct in positive psychology that has garnered significant attention in organizational and academic contexts. While extensively studied in workplace settings, PsyCap’s relevance in academic environments is increasingly recognized, as it influences students’ motivation, engagement, and academic success. This literature review synthesizes the conceptual framework of PsyCap, its components, antecedents, and consequences, and examines its impact on academic outcomes through a review of related empirical studies. Studies in the Scopus database were searched, and a total of 16 studies were included in this review. Drawing on studies employing cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, the review highlights PsyCap’s function as a mediator, direct predictor, and occasional moderator in linking psychosocial factors (e.g., teacher-student relationships, parent-child relationships, positive emotions, school climate, personality traits) to academic outcomes, typically measured by grade point average (GPA) or cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as Self-Determination Theory, Broaden-and-Build Theory, and Conservation of Resources Theory, the findings confirm PsyCap’s capacity to translate supportive environments into enhanced performance while mitigating challenges like stress and burnout. Theoretical implications extend PsyCap frameworks to educational contexts, while practical recommendations advocate for PsyCap-focused interventions, supportive relationships, and positive school climates. Policy implications emphasize curriculum integration and teacher training. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, diverse samples, and multi-method approaches to enhance causal inferences and applicability, reinforcing PsyCap’s transformative potential in optimizing student success.
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spelling doaj-art-be2f09018f204cf9a407ee976c3910fb2025-08-20T03:31:37ZengVJEVietnam Journal of Education2588-14772815-55722025-06-019210.52296/vje.2025.688A Scoping Review on Psychological Capital and Its Impact on Academic OutcomesHuong Thi Pham0Phuong Vu Nguyen1Long Thanh Nguyen2Ho Phi Vu Pham3Loan Thi Nguyen4School of Foreign Languages, College of Economics, Law and Governance, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamUniversity of Economics and Law, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamTra Vinh University, VietnamIndustrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamHong Duc University, Vietnam Psychological Capital (PsyCap) is an emerging construct in positive psychology that has garnered significant attention in organizational and academic contexts. While extensively studied in workplace settings, PsyCap’s relevance in academic environments is increasingly recognized, as it influences students’ motivation, engagement, and academic success. This literature review synthesizes the conceptual framework of PsyCap, its components, antecedents, and consequences, and examines its impact on academic outcomes through a review of related empirical studies. Studies in the Scopus database were searched, and a total of 16 studies were included in this review. Drawing on studies employing cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, the review highlights PsyCap’s function as a mediator, direct predictor, and occasional moderator in linking psychosocial factors (e.g., teacher-student relationships, parent-child relationships, positive emotions, school climate, personality traits) to academic outcomes, typically measured by grade point average (GPA) or cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as Self-Determination Theory, Broaden-and-Build Theory, and Conservation of Resources Theory, the findings confirm PsyCap’s capacity to translate supportive environments into enhanced performance while mitigating challenges like stress and burnout. Theoretical implications extend PsyCap frameworks to educational contexts, while practical recommendations advocate for PsyCap-focused interventions, supportive relationships, and positive school climates. Policy implications emphasize curriculum integration and teacher training. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, diverse samples, and multi-method approaches to enhance causal inferences and applicability, reinforcing PsyCap’s transformative potential in optimizing student success. https://vje.vn/index.php/journal/article/view/688PsyCapliterature reviewPsyCap’s impactsacademic achievementPsyCap as a mediatordirect predictor
spellingShingle Huong Thi Pham
Phuong Vu Nguyen
Long Thanh Nguyen
Ho Phi Vu Pham
Loan Thi Nguyen
A Scoping Review on Psychological Capital and Its Impact on Academic Outcomes
Vietnam Journal of Education
PsyCap
literature review
PsyCap’s impacts
academic achievement
PsyCap as a mediator
direct predictor
title A Scoping Review on Psychological Capital and Its Impact on Academic Outcomes
title_full A Scoping Review on Psychological Capital and Its Impact on Academic Outcomes
title_fullStr A Scoping Review on Psychological Capital and Its Impact on Academic Outcomes
title_full_unstemmed A Scoping Review on Psychological Capital and Its Impact on Academic Outcomes
title_short A Scoping Review on Psychological Capital and Its Impact on Academic Outcomes
title_sort scoping review on psychological capital and its impact on academic outcomes
topic PsyCap
literature review
PsyCap’s impacts
academic achievement
PsyCap as a mediator
direct predictor
url https://vje.vn/index.php/journal/article/view/688
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