School satisfaction, resilience and mental health of high school students

Abstract

School satisfaction is defined as students' contentment across various facets of their school environment, encompassing related elements such as teaching quality, relationships with teachers and peers, and school facilities. The significance of school satisfaction extends beyond enhancing academic outcomes; it profoundly influences students' psychological and social development, as well as their mental health. For high school students, identifying solutions to enhance awareness and improve mental health is crucial, contributing to a higher quality of life and better mental well-being in school. This cross-sectional study, involving 1,334 gifted students, investigated the relationship between school satisfaction and student mental health, with resilience serving as a mediating variable. Results indicated that student resilience was inversely correlated at a weak to moderate level with anxiety, stress, and depression. Impact analyses revealed that school satisfaction directly and significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, school satisfaction indirectly impacted stress, anxiety, and depression through its influence on resilience. A clear implication for school-based psychological intervention and support programs is the necessity to focus on enhancing student satisfaction with school and fostering their resilience.