Examining School Satisfaction in Adolescents: The Role of Academic Perfectionism and Meaning in Life

This study explored the mediating effect of meaning in life on the relationship between academic perfectionism and school satisfaction among Turkish adolescents (N = 402; mean age = 15.27, SD = 1.19). Data were collected using the Academic Perfectionism Scale, the Meaningful Living Scale, and the Children’s Overall Satisfaction with Schooling Scale. The analysis indicated a negative association between academic perfectionism and school satisfaction, whereas meaning in life was positively linked to satisfaction in school. A bootstrapping procedure was used to assess mediation. The results demonstrated that meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between academic perfectionism and school satisfaction, confirming a statistically significant indirect effect of academic perfectionism on school satisfaction through academic stress.