Exploring the Network Structure and Interplay of EFL Students' Grit, Growth Mindset, and Engagement: A Multilayer Network Analysis

ABSTRACT The close interaction among second/foreign language (L2) learners' psycho‐emotional variables has been widely endorsed in prior research. However, their network structure and interplay in light of sub‐dimensions have received insufficient attention. To fill the gap, informed by the broaden‐and‐build theory (BBT), our study explored the interplay and network of L2 grit, growth mindset, and engagement among Chinese EFL students. A convenient sample of 411 students completed three online questionnaires. The results of multilayer network analysis indicated that the three constructs could significantly interact within a single connected system rather than separately. It was also shown that not all sub‐factors of grit and growth mindset could carry the connective load. Student engagement had the highest predictability among the layers and behaved only as the receiver and predicted variable. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that while the three constructs followed the same clustering, their facets could transcend the dimensions imposed by a priori sub‐scales. Our study underscores the dynamism and closeness of language learners' psycho‐emotional factors and experiences.