The Influence of Junior High School Students’ Sense of Authenticity on their Class Adjustment

Abstract

The sense of authenticity that refers to one’s sense of being true to oneself, felt by the junior high school students was discussed in this study. The analogous concepts, such as self-esteem, self-affirmation, and competence were taken as the indicators of the class adjustment. The effect of the sense of authenticity on the two subordinate concepts under the score of their class satisfaction, approval and mal-adaptation scores was also examined. The subjects were 341 junior high school students. The data were analyzed by the multiple linear regression analysis with forced entry of all possible models. Results indicated that the boys’ sense of authenticity and competence showed a significant positive influence on the approval, their sense of authenticity and self affirmation showed a negative influence on mal-adjustment score. On the other hand, the girls’ sense of authenticity, self-esteem and self-affirmation showed a significant positive influence on the approval, but only the sense of authenticity showed a significant negative influence on mal-adjustment score. Only the sense of authenticity showed as a common element in an influence on adjusting their schoollife for both girls and boys. The significance of considering and improving the students’ sense of authenticity in junior high school students was discussed.