The Mediating Effect of School Adjustment on the Relationship between a Creative School Environment and Children's Happiness

Abstract

This study examined the mediating effect of children's school adjustment on the relationship between a creative school environment and children’s happiness. For this purpose, an analysis was performed of data from the 12th Panel Study on Korean Children conducted in 2019. The participants were 1,393 fifth-grade elementary school students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 23.0 programs. The principal results were as follows. Firstly, there were significant positive correlations among creative school environment, children's school adjustment, and happiness. Secondly, the creative school environment significantly affected children's school adjustment and happiness. Thirdly, children's school adjustment had a positive effect on their happiness. Fourthly, the creative school environment had an indirect effect on children's happiness through school adjustment. The results thus demonstrate that school is a social environment that strongly influences children's happiness. Therefore, to improve children's school happiness, it is essential to consider the relationship between a creative school environment and school adjustment.