The Influence of Social Emotional Learning on Student Engagement
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study examines the influence of youth leadership participation on middle school students' mental health, engagement, and student-teacher relationships. Conducted within a high-poverty school context, the research aims to address gaps in understanding regarding the impact of youth leadership initiatives on student engagement. Utilizing data from a longitudinal study, baseline and post-intervention assessments were conducted to assess mental health, engagement, and student-teacher relationships among student Ambassadors and Non-Ambassadors. Findings reveal that Ambassadors demonstrated better baseline mental health compared to Non-Ambassadors, and student-teacher relationships emerged as the strongest predictor of engagement. Moreover, Ambassadors exhibited an increase in student-teacher relationships, while Non-Ambassadors experienced a decrease. Despite no significant improvements in engagement for Ambassadors, the study underscores the importance of fostering positive student-teacher dynamics in promoting student engagement. Theoretical implications highlight the potential of leadership roles in enhancing student-teacher relationships, while practical implications emphasize the importance of supportive student-teacher dynamics in school environments. Future research directions include exploring the longitudinal effects of youth leadership programs on student outcomes and investigating specific mechanisms underlying the relationship between student-teacher dynamics and student engagement.
DOI: 10.7282/t3-2sjt-db86
Author: Krass, Jessica
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7213393025