Examining the Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Life Satisfaction among Children

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between perceived stress levels and life satisfaction of third and fourth grade primary school students. The study was conducted with 220 students at primary school in Gaziantep, Türkiye. Perceived stress level scale for children aged 7-11, life satisfaction scale for children and personal information form were used as data collection tools. Independent groups t-test, Pearson correlation analysis and simple linear regression analysis were used. As a result of the independent groups t-test, it was found that perceived stress levels of female students were significantly higher than male students. And as a result of the correlation analysis, a significant negative relationship was found between perceived stress and life satisfaction. The regression analysis results showed that perceived stress predicts life satisfaction by 16%. The findings of this study are consistent with other studies in literature. The research results emphasize the importance of reducing stress sources and developing stress coping skills in order to increase the quality of life of students and support their healthy psychological development. Based on the research results, it is recommended that educational institutions and parents monitor children's stress levels and take the necessary precautions. Activities aimed at coping with stress can be added to group guidance programs to be developed to increase students' life satisfaction.