Abstract
This research was carried out in the College of Medicine at the University of Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It included a random sample of medical students in 4th, 5th and 6th years (males and females). Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire, including comprehensive, anonymous demographic and socioeconomic data, lifestyle factors, health related quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, other health-related data, social support, as assessed using the Multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS), student's academic motivation, using self-efficacy and active learning strategies scales from MSPSS questionnaire an the past year grade point average (GPA). The results showed that their GPA ranged between 1.30 and 3.90 out of 4 with a mean of 3.04 and SD of 0.52. It was abnormally distributed as evidenced by significant Shapiro-Wilk test, p<0.001. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that, after control for confounding, only gender of the students (females), non-smokers, membership in charity association, having higher score of psychological domain of quality of life, better overall QOL, and higher learning strategies score were significantly associated with GPA score and they are responsible for 21.5% variability of the score (r-square=0.215). From the results it could be concluded that Academic performance of senior medical students in Taif University, manifested by GPA score is influenced by many factors (multi-factorial) that are responsible for only 21.5% of variability in grade point average (GPA).