The Effects of Learning Satisfaction and Participation Motivation on Learning Persistence Intention and College Life Adjustment among University Students Participating in Physical Education General Courses Reflecting University Characteristics: Focusing on a Marine-Specialized University

This study aimed to examine the effects of general physical education classes reflecting university characteristics on college students’ learning persistence and adaptation to university life. In particular, it analyzed the influence of learning satisfaction and participation motivation in general physical education classes. The participants were 368 students enrolled in a maritime-specialized university, and data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0, performing frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that learning satisfaction in general physical education classes reflecting university characteristics had a positive effect on both learning persistence and adaptation to university life, while participation motivation also showed significant positive effects on these two variables. These findings empirically confirm that students’ learning satisfaction and participation motivation in general physical education classes incorporating university-specific characteristics positively influence their willingness to continue learning and their adjustment to college life. Therefore, it is suggested that universities actively integrate their unique characteristics into general education curricula to enhance students’ learning motivation and satisfaction, ultimately facilitating their successful adaptation to university life.