# Autonomy Support and Achievement: Exploring the Mediating Roles of Homework Mindsets and Effort

## TL;DR

This study shows how teacher and parent support for student autonomy improves math grades through homework mindsets and effort.

## Contribution

It identifies homework mindsets and effort as mediators linking autonomy support to academic achievement.

## Key findings

- Autonomy support from teachers and parents indirectly improves math grades through homework mindsets and effort.
- Homework mindsets mediate the relationship between autonomy support and homework effort.
- Both teacher and parent autonomy support directly and indirectly influence homework effort.

## Abstract

Grounded in self-determination and mindset theories, the current investigation examined whether students’ homework mindsets and effort mediated the association between autonomy support—from both teachers and parents—and mathematics grades. The study sample included 988 Chinese students in Grade 7 to 9. Structural equation modeling indicated that both teacher autonomy support and parent autonomy support had indirect positive effects on mathematics grades, with homework mindsets (fixed and growth) and homework effort serving as mediators. Additionally, teacher and parent autonomy support directly associated with homework effort, while also exerting indirect associations with homework effort via homework mindsets. Collectively, the current investigation underscores the critical roles of autonomy support, homework mindsets, and homework effort in the homework process, offering important theoretical and practical insights.