Exploring Longitudinal Patterns and Influencing Factors of Life Satisfaction During Middle and High School Years

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore the longitudinal changes in adolescents' life satisfaction and the individual and environmental factors influencing these changes. Methods Multilevel growth modeling was applied to data from the middle school first-year panel of the Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey 2018(KCYPS2018). Results First, adolescents' life satisfaction exhibited a statistically significant linear decline over time. Second, positive predictors of the initial level of life satisfaction included self-esteem, grit, student-teacher relationships, and friendship. Third, academic achievement was identified as a significant positive predictor of the rate of change in life satisfaction, indicating that higher academic performance may help slow the decline in life satisfaction over time. Conclusions This study holds significance in that it comprehensively explored the changes in adolescents' life satisfaction over time using multilevel growth modeling and analyzed the influence of personal and environmental factors on these changes. By identifying key factors that impact adolescents' life satisfaction, this study provides practical suggestions for strategies to enhance their life satisfaction. Furthermore, based on the findings, recommendations for future research are offered to deepen the understanding of the dynamics affecting adolescents' life satisfaction in various contexts.