Correlation of academic adaptation and commitment to social activity in university students with chronic diseases

Saratov State University, Center for support of families with children having special educational needs, Astrakhanskaya St., 83, Saratov, Russia

^* Corresponding author: shamionov@info.sgu.ru

Abstract

Adaptation of students with chronic diseases to the university educational environment is an important challenge in keeping with the equal opportunity strategy. This process is fraught not only with difficulties, but also with those opportunities that can be created within the framework of the versatile social activity of students. The aim of the research is to study the correlation between academic adaptation and adherence to various forms of social activities in students with chronic diseases and those without health limitations. The study involved 419 full-time students. We used an original questionnaire aimed at identifying socio-demographic characteristics, a methodology for assessing the components of academic adaptation and a scale of commitment to various forms of social activities. Our research revealed differences in adherence to the forms of social activities. We identified multiple linkages between academic adaptation and Internet cognitive, educational and socio-political forms of activities among students with chronic diseases, as well as linkages between leisure, civic, educational, protest, radical protest and subcultural forms of activities among students without chronic diseases. We found specificity in predicting academic adaptation in students' commitment to certain forms of social activities. We offer recommendations for psychological and pedagogical support of academic adaptation to students with chronic diseases.