Factors Affecting the Happiness of Urban Elementary School Students: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The purpose of this transformative mixed methods study was to examine the school happiness of upper elementary students in three Connecticut urban demonstration schools. The study examined the differences in students' happiness based on ethnicity, gender, and their interaction. It also investigated the factors that affect students' happiness in school. Three survey subscales were used to measure students' happiness in school: the School Satisfaction subscale of the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS; Huebner, 1994) and the Attitudes Toward School and Attitudes Toward Teachers subscales of the School Attitude Assessment Survey-Revised (SAAS-R; McCoach, 2002). Factors affecting students' happiness in school were explored through focus group discussions with students. Quantitative analysis revealed no significant differences in students' happiness based on gender, ethnicity, or their interaction. However, serendipitous findings revealed that fifth grade students had significantly more negative attitudes toward teachers than third and fourth grade students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone [phone]. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]