The Effectiveness of Life Skills Training (Problem Solving and Decision Making) on Teacher-Student Relationships, Academic Buoyancy, and Academic Optimism in Elementary Sixth Grade Male Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of life skills training (problem-solving and decision-making) on teacher-student relationships, academic buoyancy, and academic optimism in sixth grade elementary students. The method was quasi-experimental with pre/post-test and a control group. The statistical population was sixth-graders in Hasanabad city schools during the academic year of 2019-20. The sample consisted of 50 sixth grade male students who were assigned to the experimental or control group (25 students in each group). Assessment tools included standard questionnaires of teacher-student relationship quality, academic optimism, and academic buoyancy. Also, students who had much higher scores in buoyancy, optimism, and/or the quality of relationship with their teacher were excluded from the sample due to statistical reasons. The participants were educated in a problem-solving and decision-making training for ten sessions. Following the training, the post test was administered. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the quality of teacher-student relationship, academic buoyancy and academic optimism were higher in the experimental group than those of the control group. As a result, problem-solving and decision-making trainings can be used as part of students’ empowerment programs.

Keywords

• life skills
• teacher-student relationship
• academic buoyancy
• academic optimism