IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v15y2018i12p2750-d188121.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Class-Level School Performance and Life Satisfaction: Differential Sensitivity for Low- and High-Performing School-Aged Children

Author

Listed:
  • Katharina Rathmann

    (Department of Nursing and Health Science, University of Applied Sciences, 36037 Fulda, Germany
    Department for Sociology of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Technical University Dortmund, 44227 Dortmund, Germany)

  • Max Herke

    (Institute of Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany)

  • Ludwig Bilz

    (Department of Health Sciences, Faculty for Health, Social Work, and Music, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany)

  • Arja Rimpelä

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences and PERLA (Tampere Center for Childhood, Youth and Family Research), University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
    Tampere University Hospital, Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, 33380 Pitkäniemi, Finland)

  • Klaus Hurrelmann

    (Hertie School of Governance, 10117 Berlin, Germany)

  • Matthias Richter

    (Institute of Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany)

Abstract

This study investigates whether class-level school performance affects students’ life satisfaction and if there are differential effects for high- and low-performing students. Data were derived from the National Educational Panel Study, including n = 5196 students (49.6% girls), nested in 478 classes and 250 secondary schools. School performance in class was measured by aggregating individual grade point average in Mathematics and German. The study could not reveal the “big-fish-little-pond”-effect regarding students’ life satisfaction but found differential effects for high- vs. low performing students. There was no significant association for low-performing students attending classes with higher class-level performance However, low-performing students revealed the lowest life satisfaction. High-performing students placed in classes with higher average performance reported lower life satisfaction compared to high-performing students in classes with lower average performance. This study provides evidence for the impact of the learning environment in class on school-aged children’s life satisfaction, by highlighting the differential sensitivity of high-performing students when placed in classes with higher or lower average performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharina Rathmann & Max Herke & Ludwig Bilz & Arja Rimpelä & Klaus Hurrelmann & Matthias Richter, 2018. "Class-Level School Performance and Life Satisfaction: Differential Sensitivity for Low- and High-Performing School-Aged Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:12:p:2750-:d:188121
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/12/2750/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/12/2750/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bates, Douglas & Mächler, Martin & Bolker, Ben & Walker, Steve, 2015. "Fitting Linear Mixed-Effects Models Using lme4," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 67(i01).
    2. Anne Gadermann & Kimberly Schonert-Reichl & Bruno Zumbo, 2010. "Investigating Validity Evidence of the Satisfaction with Life Scale Adapted for Children," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 96(2), pages 229-247, April.
    3. Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer & Torbjorn Torsheim & Jorn Hetland & Wilma Vollebergh & Franco Cavallo & Helena Jericek & Mujgan Alikasifoglu & Raili Välimaa & Veronika Ottova & Michael Erhart, 2009. "Subjective health, symptom load and quality of life of children and adolescents in Europe," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(2), pages 151-159, September.
    4. Nansook Park, 2004. "The Role of Subjective Well-Being in Positive Youth Development," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 591(1), pages 25-39, January.
    5. Shannon Suldo & E. Huebner, 2006. "Is Extremely High Life Satisfaction During Adolescence Advantageous?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 78(2), pages 179-203, September.
    6. Sara B. Låftman & Viveca Östberg & Bitte Modin, 2017. "School Leadership and Cyberbullying—A Multilevel Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-10, October.
    7. Sophia Rabe-Hesketh & Anders Skrondal, 2012. "Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling Using Stata, 3rd Edition," Stata Press books, StataCorp LP, edition 3, number mimus2, March.
    8. E. Huebner, 2004. "Research on Assessment of Life Satisfaction of Children and Adolescents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 3-33, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Katharina Rathmann & Katharina Loter & Theres Vockert, 2020. "Critical Events throughout the Educational Career: The Effect of Grade Retention and Repetition on School-Aged Children’s Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-30, June.
    2. Keyu Ye & Selina McCoy, 2024. "Examining the Post-School Decision-Making and Self-Determination of Disabled Young Adults in Ireland," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-18, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Veljko Jovanovic & Dragan Zuljevic, 2013. "Psychometric Evaluation of the Serbian Version of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(1), pages 55-69, January.
    2. Ricarda Steinmayr & Linda Wirthwein & Laura Modler & Margaret M. Barry, 2019. "Development of Subjective Well-Being in Adolescence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Małgorzata Szcześniak & Iga Bajkowska & Anna Czaprowska & Aleksandra Sileńska, 2022. "Adolescents’ Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction: Communication with Peers as a Mediator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, March.
    4. Jorge J. Varela & Constanza González & Mónica Bravo-Sanzana & Roberto Melipillán & Fernando Reyes-Reyes & Daniela Pacheco-Olmedo, 2024. "School Violence, School Bonding and Adherence to School Norms and its Association with Life Satisfaction Among Chilean and Foreign Students," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(1), pages 31-56, February.
    5. Carmel Proctor & P. Linley & John Maltby, 2009. "Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(5), pages 583-630, October.
    6. Emilly Cavalheiro Esidio & Marco Túlio Aniceto França & Gustavo Saraiva Frio, 2023. "Differences between genders in the subjective well-being of students participating in PISA 2018," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(4), pages 1781-1809, August.
    7. Necla Kapikiran, 2012. "Positive and Negative Affectivity as Mediator and Moderator of the Relationship between Optimism and Life Satisfaction in Turkish University Students," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 106(2), pages 333-345, April.
    8. Carmen Viejo & Mercedes Gómez-López & Rosario Ortega-Ruiz, 2018. "Adolescents’ Psychological Well-Being: A Multidimensional Measure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, October.
    9. Janka Goldan & Lena Nusser & Michael Gebel, 2022. "School-related Subjective Well-being of Children with and without Special Educational Needs in Inclusive Classrooms," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(4), pages 1313-1337, August.
    10. Filipovic, Jelena, 2023. "Television food ads aimed at children in South-Eastern Europe: Cultural outlook and implications," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    11. Graciela Tonon & María Juliana Laurito & Denise Benatuil, 2019. "Leisure, Free Time and Well-Being of 10 Years Old Children Living in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(3), pages 637-658, July.
    12. Choi, Changyong & Lee, Juyeon & Yoo, Min Sang & Ko, Eunhye, 2019. "South Korean children's academic achievement and subjective well-being: The mediation of academic stress and the moderation of perceived fairness of parents and teachers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 22-30.
    13. Hana Vonkova, 2019. "Life Satisfaction among Different Groups of Children: Self-Reports, Differential Scale Usage and Anchoring Vignettes," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(6), pages 2111-2136, December.
    14. Constanza González & Jorge Varela & Paulina A. Sánchez & Francisca Venegas & Pablo Tezanos-Pinto, 2021. "Students’ Participation in School and its Relationship with Antisocial Behavior, Academic Performance and Adolescent Well-Being," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(1), pages 269-282, February.
    15. Jorge J. Varela & Marc A. Zimmerman & Allison M. Ryan & Sarah A. Stoddard & Justin E. Heinze & Jaime Alfaro, 2018. "Life Satisfaction, School Satisfaction, and School Violence: A Mediation Analysis for Chilean Adolescent Victims and Perpetrators," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(2), pages 487-505, April.
    16. María Jesús Rodríguez-Gulías & David Rodeiro-Pazos & Sara Fernández-López & Manuel Ángel Nogueira-Moreiras, 2021. "The effect of regional resources on innovation: a firm-centered approach," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 760-791, June.
    17. JANSSENS, Jochen & DE CORTE, Annelies & SÖRENSEN, Kenneth, 2016. "Water distribution network design optimisation with respect to reliability," Working Papers 2016007, University of Antwerp, Faculty of Business and Economics.
    18. Moorman, Sara M. & Carr, Kyle & Greenfield, Emily A., 2018. "Childhood socioeconomic status and genetic risk for poorer cognition in later life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 219-226.
    19. Babigumira, Ronnie & Angelsen, Arild & Buis, Maarten & Bauch, Simone & Sunderland, Terry & Wunder, Sven, 2014. "Forest Clearing in Rural Livelihoods: Household-Level Global-Comparative Evidence," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(S1), pages 67-79.
    20. Raymond Hernandez & Elizabeth A. Pyatak & Cheryl L. P. Vigen & Haomiao Jin & Stefan Schneider & Donna Spruijt-Metz & Shawn C. Roll, 2021. "Understanding Worker Well-Being Relative to High-Workload and Recovery Activities across a Whole Day: Pilot Testing an Ecological Momentary Assessment Technique," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-17, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:12:p:2750-:d:188121. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.