Results from an experimental study involving 120 third, seventh, and eleventh grade parochial school girls showed that for third-grade females, short-term failure experiences are relatively transitory; however for females around the age of adolescence, helplessness and egotism appear to undertake a significant role in influencing behavior. (IAH)

This study questioned a previously observed relationship between seventh grade academic failure and later dropout behavior using five mediating variables. Researchers estimated a causal model with data from individuals tested in seventh through ninth grades and as young adults. Certain mediating factors (e.g., low motivation and perception of peer…