The Relationship Between School Belonging and Societal Belonging Among Ethnic Minority Adolescents in the Czech Republic

Belonging is a fundamental human need strongly linked to psychological well-being and social adjustment. This need is particularly salient for ethnic minority adolescents who often face prejudice and other challenges both in school and in broader society. This article investigates the association between the sense of school belonging and societal belonging among ethnic minority adolescents in the Czech Republic. Using multilevel regression models, we analyse data from the minority subsample (age 15–16) of the Czech Education Panel Survey ( n = 2,122). Results show a positive association between the two types of belonging, even when perceived support from family, peers and teachers is taken into account. This association is stronger among Ukrainians than among other ethnic minorities. Our findings suggest that fostering societal belonging among ethnic minority youth may strengthen their connection to school. These results highlight the importance of inclusive policies that support social integration and academic adjustment of diverse student populations.