School adjustment is one of the most important issues during the middle school period. This is when adolescence begins, and students in this age group experience significant changes both mentally and physically. Successful school adjustment during thi...
School adjustment is one of the most important issues during the middle school period. This is when adolescence begins, and students in this age group experience significant changes both mentally and physically. Successful school adjustment during this period can predict a number of accomplishments that are reflected in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to explore the structure and relationship between protective factors that could help adolescents adjust to their school life during the middle school period. This study established family strength as the family-related protective factor. In addition, the mediating effects of Intrapersonal intelligence and grit on the relationship between family strength and school adjustment were also explored. A multi-group analysis was then conducted according to gender and parent–children communication level.
A survey was administered to 374 students in their first through third years of middle school in A city in the Gyeong-buk region. The study questions were verified using a structural equation model, and the key findings and their implications are as follows.
First, results of a correlation analysis of family strength, intrapersonal intelligence, grit, and school adjustment showed a significant correlation between the measured variables.
Second, the path analysis showed that, of the six pathways suggested in the study model, five were effective, excluding one pathway (from family strength to grit): the pathways between family strength, school adjustment, intrapersonal intelligence, and grit were statistically significant. Family strength had a significant positive effect on intrapersonal intelligence and school adjustment. Intrapersonal intelligence had a positive effect on grit and school adjustment. Grit also appeared to have a significantly positive effect on school adjustment. Regarding the mediating effects, three indirect effects were statistically significant, although the mediating effect of grit on family strength and school adjustment was not shown.
Third, a multi-group analysis was conducted to identify whether there is a difference in parent–child communication level and gender in the relationship between school adjustment and family strength, intrapersonal intelligence, or grit. The results showed significant differences between groups in the structural pathways.
During the middle school period, students may be subjected to considerable stress due to changes in physical/mental growth. This study explored the variables that could help with school adjustment considering the developmental features of middle school students and the structural relationship between intrapersonal intelligence, school adjustment, family strength, and grit. It also aimed to emphasize the importance of parent–children communication and provide empirical grounds for proposing effective strategies according gender. The results of this study can be helpful in laying the foundation for educational and counseling interventions that can improve middle school students’ school adjustment.