High School Connectedness and Participation As Predictors of Student Subjective Well-Being

Date of Award

8-1-2024

Degree Name

Ed.S. in School Psychology

Department

Department of Counselor Education and Human Services

Advisor/Chair

Elana Bernstein

Abstract

The mental health status of high school students across the United States continues to present as a concern. However, it is important to consider factors that may positively contribute to the mental health of high schoolers. Participation in school and non-school sponsored activities, groups or clubs is one potential positive contributor to high school students’ well-being. Student perceptions of school connectedness, potentially through participation in school-sponsored activities, is a potential connection point. The present study examined the relationship between participation in school sponsored activities, perceptions of school connectedness, and overall subjective well-being. Participants included (n=40) high school students in grades 11 and 12, who responded to self-report surveys. Results were consistent with the majority of previous research, indicating that high school students who perceive a stronger sense of school connectedness also indicated higher levels of perceived subjective well-being. The relationship between student participation in school sponsored activities/clubs and overall subjective well- being was not significant. Implications regarding high schoolers connectedness to school through activity participation and its potential for impacting subjective wellbeing are discussed, including what educators can do to foster student wellness in the post- pandemic era, such as building connections and increasing support for students.

Keywords

Mental health; high school connectedness; subjective well-being

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2024, author.

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