Doctoral Thesis
THE EFFECT OF PERSONALITY AND MINDSET ON THE WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS DURING THE TRANSITION FROM PRIMARY SCHOOL TO SECONDARY SCHOOL
Professional Doctorate, Murdoch University
2025
Abstract
Over recent years there has been a significant decline in well-being, both in Australia and globally, particularly since COVID-19. With 75% of mental illness emerging before the age of 25 and well-being declining rapidly between the ages of 12 and 25, adolescence is an important period to study. This research sought to determine whether there were predictive factors in personality or mindset, for well-being during the transition from primary school to secondary school. Over this period, students face challenges that they often have not experienced before. This study demonstrated the decline in well-being over this transition. Previous research has demonstrated significant relationships between personality, mindset, and well-being over times of change but they have not been researched during this period. Accordingly, this study surveyed Year 7 students from three schools across the state of New South Wales in Australia (n=178), at the beginning of secondary school and six months into secondary school. A school from a major city, one from an inner regional area, and one from an outer regional area, were studied. The survey was adapted from: the Big Five Questionnaire for Children - Short Form, the Implicit Theories for Intelligence Scales for Children, and the Youth RADAR. This study utilised Structural Equation Modelling to analyse relationships between personality, mindset, and well-being over the transition from primary school to secondary school. Difference scores demonstrated any significant growth or decline in well-being and static scores demonstrated well-being at single points in time. Students with higher Neuroticism or lower Openness to Experience held a greater number of significant relationships with well-being than other traits and should be supported strongly during the transition into secondary school. Other traits held fewer relationships, with some demonstrating mixed results. Specific individual interventions, group interventions, and transition programmes are recommended to support the well-being of adolescents.
Details
- Title
- THE EFFECT OF PERSONALITY AND MINDSET ON THE WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS DURING THE TRANSITION FROM PRIMARY SCHOOL TO SECONDARY SCHOOL
- Authors/Creators
- David Ramsay
- Contributors
- Peter R Whipp PhD (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of EducationDr Genevieve McSporran (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of Education
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Professional Doctorate
- Identifiers
- 991005830347007891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Education
- Resource Type
- Doctoral Thesis
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