Self-determination theory and the influence of social support, self-regulated learning, and flow experience on student learning engagement in self-directed e-learning

E-learning significantly broadens the scope for students to participate in extracurricular self-directed learning to achieve personal goals. However, the existing research has somewhat overlooked this particular setting. Our study delves into how self-determination theory shapes student engagement in learning, influenced by social support, flow experience, and self-regulated learning, while also examining the mediating role of self-determination theory. We gathered 593 questionnaires from students across various disciplines and levels of learning in five Chinese universities. Through structural equation model, we tested 13 hypotheses and several mediating effects basing on self-determination theory. Our…