Article Title: Positive Schooling and Subjective Well-Being of Pakistani Children (A Qualitative Study)
Author(s): Mariyam Akram Shabbir Ahmad Rana
Institute(s): Department of Humanities, COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology, Lahore; Postgraduate Department of Applied Psychology, Govt. M.A.O. College, Lahore.
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2013, Vol. 11, No.1, 42-51
Correspondence Address: Mariyam Akram, Lecturer, Department of Humanities, COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology, Lahore. Email: mary.ravian@live.com
The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of positive schooling in the personality development and enhancement of the subjective well-being (SWB) of Pakistani children. The purposive sampling strategy was used to collect the data from 16 participants selected from five schools. The sample consisted of 8 children (4 boys & 4 girls) studying in class 9th and 10th and the parents of these children (4 mothers & 4 fathers). On the basis of pilot study, two semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted for children and parents separately. The basic objectives of study were to know about children and parents opinion about their schools and to investigate the role of schooling in the personality development and SWB of children. The information obtained from the participants was audio recorded and transcribed. Data was analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Themes that emerged in IPA were interactive class environment, proficient teaching staff, and students overall satisfaction with schools, effects of schooling on cognition, behavior, and social skills of children. These effects were all positive in nature and are considered contributing factors in the personality development of children that contribute significantly in enhancing the subjective well-being of the children. Results of the present study regarding the importance of positive schooling in the life of Pakistani children are compared with the western researches.
Keywords: positive schooling, Pakistani children, Personality development, subjective well-being, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
