Subjective Well-being Of Students Research Articles

Student Happiness, School Climate, and School Improvement Plans

To align with a more holistic perspective of wellness, the authors advocate for the inclusion of student subjective well-being (SWB) or happiness ratings as part of school climate assessment within school improvement plans (SIPs). Relevant theory and research demonstrate the reciprocal relationship between student perceptions of school climate and their overall SWB. Within the context of school improvement planning/assessment and counselor program accountability, the authors provide recommendations for school counselors’ evidence-based practice.

Initial Development and Validation of the Youth Internalizing Problems Screener

The present studies report on the initial development and validation of the Youth Internalizing Problems Screener (YIPS), which is a 10-item self-report rating scale for assessing general internalizing problems and identifying depression and anxiety caseness within the context of school mental health screening. Results from Study 1 ( N = 177) demonstrated that responses to the YIPS yielded a single-factor latent structure, that scores derived from the scale had concurrent validity with scores from measures of student subjective well-being and problem behavior, and showed that scores derived from the YIPS demonstrated incremental validity in comparison with scores from another common internalizing problems screener for predicting self-reports of broad student functioning. Findings from Study 2 ( N = 219) confirmed the latent structure and internal reliability of responses to the YIPS, demonstrated that scores derived from this scale had strong associations with scores from criterion measures of depression and anxiety, and showed that YIPS scores had good-to-excellent power for accurately discriminating between youth scoring at or above the clinical caseness thresholds on criterion measures of depression and anxiety. Taken together, results suggest the YIPS shows promise as a technically adequate instrument for measuring general internalizing problems and identifying depression and anxiety caseness among secondary students. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Preliminary Development and Validation of the Mindful Student Questionnaire

Research validating mindfulness-based interventions with youths and in schools is growing, yet research validating measures of youths’ mindfulness in schools has received far less empirical attention. The present study makes the case for and reports on the preliminary development and validation of a new, 15-item, multidimensional, self-report measure of youths’ mindfulness that is closely connected with theory and specifically targeted to school settings: the Mindful Student Questionnaire (MSQ). The MSQ was piloted with a target sample of 278 adolescents in Grades 6 to 8 and subjected to a series of structural and convergent validity analyses. Findings indicated that responses to the MSQ were characterized by a theoretically coherent three-factor latent structure—representing mindful attention, mindful acceptance, and approach and persistence behavior—and that resulting scale scores were characterized by robust internal consistency and positive concurrent associations with criterion indicators of student subjective wellbeing and academic achievement. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Psychometrics of the Revised College Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire

The College Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (CSSWQ) is a 15-item self-report rating scale for measuring four classes of college-specific wellbeing behavior: academic efficacy, academic satisfaction, school connectedness, and college gratitude. The present study investigated the psychometrics of a revised version of this measure, which included an additional item measuring academic satisfaction (for the purposes of balancing the number of items across subscales) and standardized the response options for all items to a unified 7-point Likert-type scale (for the purposes of enhancing administration feasibility and scoring interpretability), with a sample of current U.S. college students ( N = 401). Results indicated that responses to the revised version of the CSSWQ had adequate data–model fit to the proposed higher-order measurement model, that all factors were characterized by strong latent construct reliability, and that the higher-order factor demonstrated convergent validity with several domain-general measures of wellbeing and mental health problems. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

School engagement mediates well-being differences in students attending specialized versus regular classes

ABSTRACTThe authors examined (a) differences in school engagement and the subjective well-being (SWB) of 330 Israeli students (Grades 7–10, 52% girls) in specialized school classes (arts and science) versus students in classes with no specialized subject and (b) the role of engagement as a mediator between class choice and SWB. A multivariate analysis of covariance examined intergroup differences and structural equation modeling was used to test the mediation model. The results indicated that students in both specialized classes felt more engaged than students in regular classes and that students in science classes experienced higher SWB than did students in art and regular classes. The difference between specialized classes and regular classes in terms of student SWB was fully mediated by student engagement. The results suggest that educators and policymakers should consider enabling students to enroll in specialized classes that may not only increase their engagement but also their SWB.

Assessing adolescents' positive psychological functioning at school: Development and validation of the Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire.

This study reports on the initial development and validation of the Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (SSWQ) with a sample of 1,002 students in Grades 6-8. The SSWQ is a 16-item self-report instrument for assessing youths' subjective wellbeing at school, which is operationalized via 4 subscales measuring school connectedness, academic efficacy, joy of learning, and educational purpose. The conceptualization and development of the SSWQ's subscales and items are described, and results from a series of preliminary psychometric analyses are reported. Findings indicated that the SSWQ was characterized by 4 conceptually sound latent factors, that these 4 first-order factors were robust indicators of a single second-order factor (i.e., student subjective wellbeing), that all subscales and the composite scale demonstrated at least adequate construct reliability and internal consistency, and that the estimated latent-means for all first-order and second-order factors were invariant across gender. Moreover, results from bivariate correlations and a latent-variable path analysis provided evidence in support of the construct validity of the SSWQ's scales and latent factors, showing strong associations with other student wellbeing indicators (i.e., school prosociality and academic perseverance), while findings from binary logistic regressions demonstrated that overall student subjective wellbeing levels, based on composite scores from the SSWQ, were mildly to-strongly associated with a variety of self-endorsed risk factors (e.g., aggression and self-harm) and protective factors (e.g., social support and physical exercise). Implications for theory, research, and the practice of school psychology are discussed.

School Gender Culture and Student Subjective Well-Being

This study explores the impact of school gender culture in the United States on boys’ and girls’ attachment to school and symptoms of depression. We consider multiple dimensions of school gender culture and hypothesize that student subjective well-being is lower in schools with a lower percentage of females, stronger orientations toward marriage, more prevalent contact sports, and a student body that engages more often in fighting and drinking. xThe hypotheses are derived from theories of gendered organizations, heteronormativity, and hypermasculinity. Analyses of a national sample of middle and high school students in the U.S. (5,847 girls, 5,347 boys) from the 1994–95 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health show considerable variation in school gender cultures, and regression analyses yield some support for the hypotheses. A higher proportion of female students is associated with fewer depressive symptoms among girls as predicted, but weaker school attachment for boys. The results more consistently supported the hypotheses that student well-being suffers in schools where more classmates get into fights or get drunk. Finally, we find no evidence that student subjective well-being is affected by contexts in which marital plans are more prevalent or greater proportions of students play collision contact sports. We find some evidence that school gender composition and school contexts of fighting and drinking are consequential for student subjective well-being. We reject the hypothesis that school levels of marriage orientations and contact sports participation undermine student well-being. Overall, more work is needed in the conceptualization and measurement of school gender cultures.

Life Satisfaction and Academic Performance in Early Adolescents: Evidence for Reciprocal Association

AbstractStudent subjective well-being remains a relatively neglected topic despite its intimate link to positive school outcomes. As academic achievement is a widely used yardstick of student success and school accountability, school-based mental health research and practice have focused primarily on the assessment and treatment of learning and behavioral problems. This short-term longitudinal study sought to establish the role of student subjective well-being, specifically, global life satisfaction (LS), in academic achievement. Based on the engine model of well-being (Jayawickreme, Forgeard, & Seligman, 2012), the study focused on LS as a process variable and academic performance as an outcome variable and vice versa. Using two waves (five months apart) of data, the study examined the reciprocal relations between LS and academic achievement, and how the relations may be shaped by positive and negative affective experiences in school, in a sample of 821 middle school students. Results revealed positive reciprocal causal relations between students’ LS and grades, even when demographic covariates, school-based positive and negative affect, and baseline values of the criterion variables were controlled. This study provides empirical support that LS does not undermine academic achievement (or vice versa), but rather it is synergistic with better school grades. Furthermore, the relations between students’ LS and grades were not moderated by negative or positive affective experiences in school. These findings suggest that student LS should occupy a more prominent niche in the school agenda.

Отчуждение от учебы как предиктор выгорания у студентов вузов: роль характеристик образовательной среды

The paper presents two studies aimed at development and validation of a scale of alienation in educational context. The first study using samples of university students (N = 395) and high school students (N = 194) involves structural validation of Subjective Alienation Questionnaire for Students using confirmatory factor analysis. The scales of the questionnaire have shown acceptable internal consistency (α = 0,70–0,92) and predictable associations with measures of subjective and psychological well-being, locus of control, life meaning, generalized self-efficacy, and hardiness. The second study using a sample of university students (N = 152) focused on the associations of alienation, burnout, and academic motivation with learning environment characteristics, well-being, and self-reported academic achievement. According to the resulting model, learning motivation and alienation reflect characteristics of relation of the student to the object of learning, whereas burnout reflects the resulting characteristics of learning process. Burnout was predicted by excessive difficulty of learning tasks, high workload, and alienation. Alienation was predicted by low teacher support, low clarity of learning requirements, and lack of choice in studies. Alienation and burnout mediated the asso-ciations of these learning environment characteristics with self-reported academic success and subjective well-being of students.

The College Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire: A Brief, Multidimensional Measure of Undergraduate’s Covitality

This study reports on the preliminary development and validation of the College Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (CSSWQ) with two subsamples of undergraduates. The CSSWQ is a brief, multidimensional, domain-specific measure of college students’ covitality—operationalized by a measurement model comprised of four first-order latent constructs (i.e., academic efficacy, college gratitude, school connectedness, and academic satisfaction) and one second-order latent construct (i.e., college student covitality). Results from exploratory factor analyses, conducted with the first subsample (n = 387), were used to refine a 15-item, four-subscale version of the CSSWQ, which demonstrated strong internal consistency and concurrent validity with several global indicators of subjective wellbeing. Results from confirmatory factor analyses, conducted with the second subsample (n = 584), corroborated the CSSWQ’s four-factor structure and supported the second-order latent construct of college-student covitality. Further concurrent validity analyses conducted with the second subsample, using latent-variable path analysis, indicated that the college-student covitality variable was a strong predictor of both psychological distress and psychological wellness. Analysis of variance also indicated that, when compared with global covitality status (i.e., below average, low average, high average, or above average), college-student covitality status had a stronger effect and thus incremental validity in relation to academic achievement. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

Determining the Impact of Subjective Well-Being on Academic Achievement of Children in District Faisalabad

Subjective well-being (SWB) is the form of well-being which focuses on people’s feelings, life satisfaction, happiness and their emotions. Subjective well-being also influences the academic achievement of children. The present study is designed to investigate the subjective well-being level in Pakistani children. Furthermore, to investigate the gender difference with relation to SWB and to determine the impact of subjective well-being on academic achievement of children. A validated and reliable Personal Well-being Index- School Children Scale (PWI-SC) was used. By simple random sampling 200 Students (9-12 years) were taken from the private and public schools. The collected data was analysed by bivariate correlation and independent t test. Results show that most of the children (61.5%) have higher level of subjective well-being. Gender difference (p =0.001) was found as boys have higher level of SWB than girls. Results demonstrate a significant positive relationship (p = 0.035, r = 0.149) between subjective well-being and academic achievement. It is concluded that the level of SWB in Pakistani children is high and gender difference exist with relation to SWB. Subjective Well-being and academic achievement are positively associated with each other. The society in general and parents in particular should avoid the gender difference for their affection. Workshops and trainings must be organized for parents and teachers to realize them that their behaviors and attitude has great effect on student SWB and academic achievement. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p2673

Investigation of Dispositional and State Hope Levels’ Relations with Student Subjective Well-Being

The present study investigates the relation between dispositional and state hope levels and student well-being in the context of causality by model analysis. Eight hundred and eighty-one students (653 females, 228 males) from different departments of five universities (Ankara, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart, Dumlupinar, Baskent, Maltepe) in different regions of Turkey participated in the study. Participants were administered a demographic questionnaire as well as Turkish versions of the State Hope Scale, Dispositional Hope Scale, Scales of Positive and Negative Experience, and Flourishing Scale. The results indicated that model 1, which was designed to investigate the direct effect of dispositional and state hope on the subjective well-being of students, showed a good fit. Correspondingly, model 2, which was designed to investigate the relation between hope and subjective well-being with additional variables (such as gender, age, accommodation, income, physical handicap, health problems, being in a relationship, satisfaction of friendship) also showed a good fit with the variables.

Determinants of Student and Parent Satisfaction at a Cyber Charter School

ABSTRACT Research indicates that in traditional public schools the subjective well-being of students and parents varies by gender, race, and special education status. Prior studies suggest that general education students are more satisfied with their schooling than special education students, that female students have greater satisfaction with their schooling than male students, and that Caucasian and Latino students report greater school satisfaction than African American students. No prior research has studied parental and student subjective well-being in a cyber environment. The authors investigate parental and student subjective well-being in a cyber charter school, using a student (n = 269; 53.7% response rate) and parent (n = 232; 48.7% response rate) survey. They find statistically significant differences in subjective well-being across demographic groups of students, and also significantly higher satisfaction among special education students in the cyber school environment. Implications are discussed.

Perceived control, academic performance and well-being of Ghanaian college students with disability.

BackgroundEmpirical evidence abounds showing the impact of perceived control on subjective well-being in several spheres of functioning, including academic performance. At tertiary institutions, such as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, little is known about the needs of students with disabilities, as very few persons with disabilities attend institutions of higher learning.ObjectivesThis study examined the relationship between perceptions of control and the academic and subjective well-being of students with disabilities.MethodA total of 69 students with disabilities participated in this cross-sectional descriptive study. Using trusted control and subjective well-being scales, data were subject to descriptive analyses.ResultsConsistent with previous works, perceived control increased with increased subjective well-being, moderated by gender. In addition, forms of secondary control appeared to aid primary control in the tenacious pursuit of goals. However, neither perceived control nor self-esteem was predictive of academic performance.ConclusionLimitations of sample size notwithstanding, the findings of the study can be considered provocative. Implications for clinical utility in facilitating context-specific interventions for this marginalised group are discussed. Replication with a larger sample size in other tertiary institutions is suggested for future work.

The Development of Strengths-based Group Counseling Program to Improve Subjective Well-being of Students in Elementary School

The Development of Strengths-based Group Counseling Program to Improve Subjective Well-being of Students in Elementary School