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

This research investigated models of the interrelationships among adolescents' life experiences, locus of control, and school satisfaction reports. Demographic variables (e.g., SES) did not relate to school satisfaction. Environmental experiences (acute major events and chronic life experiences, both positive and negative) moderately related to adolescents' school satisfaction. Although adolescents' locus of control orientation did not moderate school satisfaction, it did mediate the relationship between negative life experiences and school satisfaction. It was concluded that theories of adolescent 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 stressors) in addition to intrapersonal risk and protective factors.