Life experiences, locus of control, and school satisfaction in adolescence

This research investigated models of the interrelationships among adolescen ts' life experiences, locus of control, and school satisfaction reports. De mographic variables (e.g., SES) did not relate to school satisfaction. Envi ronmental experiences (acute major events and chronic life experiences, bot h positive and negative) moderately related to adolescents' school satisfac tion. Although adolescents' locus of control orientation did not moderate s chool satisfaction, it did mediate the relationship between negative life e xperiences and school satisfaction. It was concluded that theories of adole scent school satisfaction should incorporate intrapersonal characteristics as well as environmental stressors and resources. The promotion of positive attitudes toward school will likely necessitate attention to a variety of school and non-school contextual factors (e.g., family resources and stress ors) in addition to intrapersonal risk and protective factors.