An Explanatory Model of Academic Performance in Higher Education Health Sciences Programs: Validation of the Five Pillars

https://doi.org/10.33110/cimexus210207

Abstract

Academic performance in higher education is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon. This study analyzed its determinants among 121 students from the Health Sciences Division at the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH), using a quantitative, non-experimental design and an exploratory factor analysis. The KMO test (0.839) and Bartlett's test of sphericity (χ²=714.213;df=55; p<0.001) confirmed the suitability of the data. Five dimensions were identified, explaining 86.60% of the total variance: 1) institutional and pedagogical support; 2) family cultural capital; 3) socioeconomic conditions; 4) cognitive skills; and 5) access to technological resources. Extraction communalities ranged from 0.748 to 0.946. It is concluded that academic performance results from the significant interaction of institutional, familial, socioeconomic, cognitive, and technological factors. These findings provide empirical evidence for the design of comprehensive university policies to strengthen student support and ensure academic success in health sciences.