School-related subjective well-being promotes subsequent adaptability, achievement, and positive behavioural conduct.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that subjective well-being and adaptability are linked to adaptive educational outcomes, including higher achievement and lower anxiety. It is not presently clear, however, how school-related subjective well-being and adaptability are related, or predict behavioural outcomes such as student conduct.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to test a bidirectional model of school-related subjective well-being and adaptability, and how they relate to achievement and behavioural conduct.

METHOD: Data were collected from 539 Year 12 students over four waves. Achievement and behavioural conduct were measured in the first wave of data collection (T1 ), school-related subjective well-being and adaptability at the second and third waves (T2 and T3 ), and achievement and behavioural conduct again in the fourth wave of data collection (T4 ).

RESULTS: A structural equation model showed that T2 school-related subjective well-being predicted higher T3 adaptability, but not vice versa. T3 school-related subjective well-being predicted greater T4 achievement and positive behavioural conduct, and T3 adaptability predicted greater T4 positive behavioural conduct.

CONCLUSION: School-related subjective well-being promotes adaptability, achievement, and positive behavioural conduct, and adaptability is also related to positive behavioural conduct. Attempts to foster well-being and adaptability could show educational gains for students.