Morrin, Nichole (2017) Psychological Wellbeing and Capacity to Aspire in Youth Enrolled in Alternative Education. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to develop a greater understanding of ‘what works’ in supporting young people to reconnect with learning, and identify key factors that influence Psychological Wellbeing and Aspirations in marginalised youth. This research was based on Self-Determination theory, Positive Psychology Wellbeing theory, and Appadurai’s Capacity to Aspire theoretical framework. A triangulation, mixed-method design was used, involving administering an online, self-report survey to students enrolled in Year 10 to Year 12, at an Australian alternative school. The main aim was to examine the relationships between Psychological Wellbeing and Aspirations in marginalised youth enrolled in alternative education. The survey examined Psychological Wellbeing variables (Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, Happiness, Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness) and Aspirations in students. The survey additionally provided an Overall Psychological Wellbeing score, from the average of all wellbeing scales. Bivariate correlation analyses found all Psychological Wellbeing variables significantly correlated with Overall Psychological Wellbeing, expect Perseverance. Further, all Psychological Wellbeing variables were significantly associated with Aspirations. Regression analyses found that Overall Psychological Wellbeing predicted Aspirations. The only Psychological Wellbeing variable found to significantly predict Aspirations was Relatedness. The final aim of this research was to investigate marginalised students’ school experiences, relevant to their Psychological Wellbeing and Aspirations. A small number of students participated in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis identified four key themes: 1) relationships and connectedness; 2) opportunities and aspirations; 3) environment; and 4) personal circumstances. Overall, the relationships found between Psychological Wellbeing and Aspirations within marginalised youth were comparable overall to those observed in the general population of youth in Australia.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Lorelle Burton |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Aug 2025 01:02 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Aug 2025 01:02 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Alternative education, flexible learning programs, psychological wellbeing, aspirations, basic psychological needs, youth, capacity to aspire, self determination theory, positive psychology wellbeing theory. |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52595 |
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