Nurhastuti, Ade H. Putra, Syari Yuliana, Mardhatillah Zulpiani, Jehan N. Oktaviani, Tasha D. Putri, Afdal
In digital learning environments, cognitive and socio-emotional competencies play critical roles in shaping academic attitudes. This study investigates the effect of General Ability (GA) on Academic Attitude (AA) among elementary school students, with Creative Thinking (CT) positioned as a mediator and Leadership Ability (LA) as a moderator within the context of digital technology-based learning. A quantitative approach was employed involving 710 students in Padang, Indonesia. Data were collected via validated scales through hybrid administration and analyzed using descriptive statistics, network analysis, and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that GA did not have a significant direct effect on AA, but became significant when mediated by CT, suggesting that creativity plays a pivotal role in converting cognitive ability into positive academic attitudes. Leadership ability moderated the relationship between GA and AA, but not between CT and AA. These results may reflect the nature of digital learning environments, which often require students to self-direct their learning and engage creatively with content, while leadership functions tend to emerge in collaborative contexts that are less central to individual attitude formation. The findings highlight the need for digital curricula that integrate opportunities for creative exploration and structured leadership experiences, particularly for high-ability students. Further research could examine how classroom dynamics, teacher support, or technological infrastructure shape these psychological and behavioral relationships. © 2025 by the authors.
Department of Special Need Education, Faculty of Education, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia; Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia; Sekolah Luar Biasa Negeri Kuantan Singingi, Kuantan Singingi, Indonesia; Study Program of Master Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gajah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
