Abstract:

The article deals with academic self-concept in relation to life satisfaction in older school-age pupils. The aim of the paper is to explore the relationship between cognitive representations of pupils’ own abilities (by understanding of the school self-concept) and their life satisfaction.The research sample consisted of 105 pupils, aged from 14 to 15 years. We used the Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire (Liu, Wang 2005) to identify the self-concept of pupils. The overall life satisfaction and the satisfaction in individual life spheres were measured by the Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Children (Huebner 1994). The results indicate strong positive relationship between academic self-concept and overall life satisfaction and also satisfaction in individual life spheres. The strongest relationship has been revealed between academic self-concept and pupils’ satisfaction with school and friends. Schools as a place where pupils spend a significant part of their days prepare them for the life not only by using knowledge they have learnt. It also helps shape a harmonious personality that is prepared for the life in society. We have found that school self-perception together with the pupils’ ideas about their school competences, their interests in activities and work at school, and the perception of their efforts, all contribute to life satisfaction in our research sample.

Keywords:

Academic self-concept, satisfaction with life, pupils of older schol age.