The Role of Optimism and Pessimism in Influencing Learning Engagement among Saudi EFL University Students

The impact of psychological traits on learning engagement (LE) is a crucial area of research, particularly in the context of English as a foreign language (EFL). However, there is a notable lack of studies examining how optimism and pessimism, as two key psychological constructs, influence engagement in foreign language (FL) learning. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between optimism, pessimism and LE levels among EFL students. Specifically, it explored the association between these traits and the overall engagement of 131 Saudi EFL learners, focusing on their behavioural, cognitive, agentic and emotional engagement. A quantitative methodology was adopted for this research. Statistical techniques, including correlational analyses and linear regression, were applied to examine the relationships among these variables. The findings reveal a strong positive correlation between optimism and overall engagement, with the most significant association observed between optimism and behavioural engagement, followed closely by cognitive and emotional engagement. In contrast, pessimism demonstrated only a weak positive correlation with overall engagement. The results of the linear regression analysis confirmed that both optimism and pessimism serve as significant predictors of LE. This study offers valuable insights for educators and researchers interested in understanding the role of psychological traits in shaping LE within FL contexts. KEYWORDS Psychological traits, positive emotions, EFL learners, behavioural engagement, cognitive engagement, emotional engagement