Teenagers with purpose in life have higher grades: A new study

While some people perform well under pressure or pursuing happiness, others need more inspirational goals to study and work better.

Encouraging teens to focus on feeling more capable and purposeful, rather than solely pursuing happiness, may have a really positive impact on both their grades and mental health.

Let's find out more.

The research and its results

The research involved over 600 teens from 7 English schools and examined two aspects of their wellbeing: overall life satisfaction and 'eudaimonia,' which encompasses feelings of competence, motivation, and also self-esteem.

Teens with higher levels of this eudaimonic wellbeing consistently outperformed their peers in GCSE-level assessments, particularly in Maths.

What the results mean

The results suggest that nurturing teens' eudaimonic wellbeing, by focusing on their goals, can positively influence both academic achievement and mental health.

It also indicates that a growth mindset, considered essential for academic success, did not always predict good results, but individuals with high eudaimonic wellbeing tended to exhibit this mindset.

The study emphasizes the potential drawbacks of the heavy emphasis on high-stakes testing and exam results in schools, as it may limit teachers' ability to support individuals' personal growth and hinder better performance in some cases.
 

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• 27 July 2023

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