Investigation of Cognitive, Psychological and Physical Factors Affecting Academic Performance of University Students by Principal Component Analysis During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Purpose: The Covid-19 Pandemic has significantly affected the physical activity levels, psychosocial status, cognitive skills, and academic performances of university students in studying in health field. The aim of this study is to examine the factors affecting the academic performance of university students with principal component analysis. Methods: 151 University students (aged 21.83±1.88 years; 125 female, 26 male) participated in the study. The CogniFit Cognitive Assessment Program, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory were administered to the students via the Google Form. The Principal Component Analysis was used to evaluate the data. Results: The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) yielded three principal components (PC) that together account for 93% of the variation in the data set and represent new and distinct patterns. Thus, 11 variables affecting the subject were reduced to three components. These 3 components include all the cognitive functions evaluated. In addition, sleep and depression variables are also included. Conclusion: The cognitive, emotional, and physical factors affecting the academic performance of university students have been systematically classified and made easier to prioritize and understand. In this way, the parameters that need improvement were laid out.