School Belongingness and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Adolescents: Exploring the Influence of Meaningful School

The current study investigates the mediating effects of meaningful school on the association between school belongingness and internalizing and externalizing problems. A sample of Turkish adolescents (N = 460) completed the School Belongingness Scale, Meaningful School Questionnaire, Youth Externalizing Behavior Screener, and Youth Internalizing Behavior Screener. Findings revealed that school belongingness and meaningful school were negatively significantly related to internalizing and externalizing problems. More importantly, mediation analysis showed that meaningful school partially mediated the association between school belongingness with symptoms of internalizing and externalizing difficulties. These results have significant implications for practice and research by presenting further evidence that supports the impact of school belongingness in reducing internalizing and externalizing problems through increased meaningful school. This will contribute to positive school functioning and mental health.