Factors shaping young adults decision-making in full-time higher education: Insights from young adults in mainland China during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gao, Jingwen (2025) Factors shaping young adults decision-making in full-time higher education: Insights from young adults in mainland China during the COVID-19 pandemic. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This study investigated factors influencing the decisions of young adults (ages 20-40) in mainland China regarding full-time higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a significant and disruptive social event, the pandemic drastically altered individuals’ life trajectories, likely including their educational participation behaviours. By examining this topic, I aimed to understand how the pandemic reshaped decision-making processes and the potential implications these changes had for educational participation. Through a review of existing theoretical frameworks and empirical research, I developed a multi-level theoretical model - encompassing individual, situational, and institutional levels - to guide this empirical investigation. I employed a multi-phased, multi-method qualitative research strategy, which involved three stages of data collection and analysis: Stage A consisted of critical policy analysis; Stage B involved online semi-structured interviews; and Stage C utilised online focus groups conducted via Padlet. The study yielded significant findings from all three levels, and, through triangulation of results, identified three key messages extending the initial framework. These include the critical role of sunk costs, the impact of non-economic factors, and specific characteristics of young adults as a demographic cohort of study, such as the accumulating decision-making costs of participating in full-time higher education during the pandemic, which can interfere with potential participants’ judgment in making educational decisions. These insights provide valuable contributions to future educational research and the development of lifelong learning policy and practice for stakeholders in Mainland China, and globally when facing future global crises scenarios.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: L Education > L Education (General); L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Supervisor's Name: Boeren, Professor Ellen and Lido, Professor Catherine
• Date of Award: 2025
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2025-85039
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 10 Apr 2025 15:21
• Last Modified: 10 Apr 2025 15:25
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.85039
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85039