The Role of Subjective Well-being in Adolescent Academic Achievement: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Changes in physical, social, emotional, and other developmental stages pose significant challenges for adolescents. Simultaneously, they are tasked with preparing for their future, particularly by achieving high academic achievement. This study delves into the critical role of subjective well-being in adolescent academic achievement, serving as a follow-upinvestigation to elucidate findings from prior quantitative studies. The methodology employed entailed semi-structured face-to-face interviews with participants aged 15-17. To investigate academic achievement, the researcher selected five high-achieving students from two topperforming high schools in Banten, Indonesia. The research adopted an exploratory design, with qualitative data analysed and interpreted through thematic analysis using NVivo software. The thematic analysis unveiled the pivotal influence of parenting, social support, and spirituality on shaping life purpose, academic aspirations, and interests. These themes, in turn, fostered academic motivation, self-efficacy, and emotion regulation among the participants, facilitating the development of effective learning strategies. Armed with these strategies, participants persevered through the learning process, ultimately attaining academic achievement.