School belongingness, well-being, and mental health among adolescents: exploring the role of loneliness

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Within the school context, the need to belong is a fundamental psychological construct associated with a variety of important adolescent school‐based and quality‐of‐life outcomes. The objective of the present study is to investigate the mediating effect of loneliness on the association between school belonging constructs (i.e., social inclusion and exclusion) and subjective well‐being and mental health problems among adolescents. Method: Participants of this study included 244 adolescents in grades 9–12 attending a high school in a city of Turkey. They were comprised of 52.5% female and 47.5% male and ranged in age between 14 and 18-years (M = 16.27, SD = .1.02). Results: Findings of the study indicated that school‐based social inclusion and exclusion significantly predicted loneliness, mental health problems, and subjective well‐being. Mediation analyses showed that loneliness partially mediated the relationship of social inclusion with mental health problems and subjective well‐being. Thereafter, loneliness had a full mediating effect on the association between social exclusion and subjective well‐being and partially mediated the effect of social exclusion on adolescent mental health problems. Social inclusion and exclusion also indirectly predicted mental health problems through subjective well‐being. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that loneliness is an important mechanism that may help to explain the effect of school belongingness on adolescent well‐being and mental health. The results highlight the importance of school belongingness‐based preventions and interventions targeting to promote mental health and well‐being in school settings. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: Belongingness is an important psychological construct for mental health and well‐being, not only at an empirical level but also at a theoretical level. A satisfied need for belonging improves youth well‐being and mental health, whereas unsatisfied or lack of this need can lead to a variety of psychosocial problems, such as loneliness. Loneliness has adverse impacts on adolescent well‐being and is a risk factor for developing emotional and behavioural problems What this topic adds: The present study highlights the importance of school belongingness‐based preventions and interventions targeting to promote mental health and well‐being in school settings. Loneliness is an important mechanism that may help to explain the effect of school belongingness on well‐being and mental health of adolescents. The study outcomes suggest there is a need to design a more comprehensive prevention and intervention approach for improving adolescent mental health and well‐being.