Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (SSWQ)

The SSWQ is a self-report survey that measures students' positive functioning in the school context. It consists of 16 items, each of which is responded to using a 4-point Likert scale (1 = almost never to 4 = almost always). The total score is calculated by adding up the responses to each item, with higher scores indicating higher levels of subjective wellbeing in the school context.

The SSWQ measures four dimensions of subjective wellbeing: school connectedness, joy of learning, academic efficacy, and educational purpose. Each dimension is made up of four items, and the scores for each dimension are calculated by adding up the responses to those items.

The scoring of the SSWQ will provide schools with valuable information about the subjective wellbeing of their students in the school context. The four dimensions of subjective wellbeing measured by the SSWQ are:

1. School connectedness: This dimension measures students' sense of belonging and connectedness to their school community. It includes items such as "I feel like I belong at this school" and "I feel like I am part of the school community." School connectedness is important because it has been linked to a variety of positive outcomes, including academic achievement, mental health, and reduced risk-taking behaviors
2. Joy of learning: This dimension measures students' enjoyment of learning and their motivation to engage in academic activities. It includes items such as "I get excited about learning new things in class" and "I enjoy doing homework." Joy of learning is important because it is a key predictor of academic achievement and can help students develop a lifelong love of learning.
3. Academic efficacy: This dimension measures students' confidence in their academic abilities and their belief that they can succeed in school. It includes items such as "I do good work at school" and "I am confident in my ability to learn new things." Academic efficacy is important because it has been linked to academic achievement, motivation, and persistence.
4. Educational purpose: This dimension measures students' sense of purpose and meaning in their academic pursuits. It includes items such as "I feel like the things I do at school are important" and "I feel like I am making progress towards my goals." Educational purpose is important because it can help students stay motivated and engaged in their academic pursuits, even when faced with challenges or setbacks.

By measuring multiple dimensions of subjective wellbeing, schools can gain a more nuanced understanding of their students' experiences. The scoring will allow schools to identify areas where students are thriving and areas where they may need additional support. For example, if a school has high scores on the joy of learning dimension, they may want to consider incorporating more engaging and interactive teaching methods. On the other hand, if a school has low scores on the school connectedness dimension, they may want to consider implementing programmes to foster a sense of community and belonging among students. By addressing areas of need, schools can create a more positive and supportive school environment, which can lead to better academic outcomes and improved student wellbeing

Schools can use the results of the SSWQ to inform their policies and practices. For example, if a school finds that their students have low levels of academic efficacy, they may want to consider providing additional academic support or resources. Additionally, schools can use the results of the SSWQ to evaluate the effectiveness of their current programmes and interventions. For example, if a school implements a programme to improve school connectedness and sees an increase in scores on that dimension, they can conclude that the programme was effective. Schools can also use the results of the SSWQ to identify students who may be at risk for emotional problems and provide them with appropriate support. By using the results of the SSWQ to inform their practices, schools can create a more positive and supportive school environment, which can lead to better academic outcomes and improved student wellbeing.

This survey is useful for schools because it provides a comprehensive measure of students' subjective wellbeing in the school context. By measuring multiple dimensions of subjective wellbeing, schools can gain a more nuanced understanding of their students' experiences. Additionally, the SSWQ is specifically designed to measure subjective wellbeing in the school context, which makes it a valuable tool for schools. By using the SSWQ, schools can identify areas where their students are thriving and areas where they may need additional support. This can help schools create a more positive and supportive school environment, which can lead to better academic outcomes and improved student wellbeing

The SSWQ takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. The length of the survey is necessary to ensure that all four dimensions of subjective wellbeing are adequately measured. Additionally, the SSWQ has been shown to have good internal consistency and validity, which suggests that it is a reliable and valid measure of subjective wellbeing in the school context.

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