Congratulations to Jessica Rappaport who on Monday, March 10, 2025, successfully defended her dissertation. The title of Jessica’s study is MIDDLE SCHOOL SENSE OF BELONGING AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A QUALITATIVE STUDY USING SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY.
This interpretive qualitative study examined young adolescents' sense of belonging post-COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Young Adolescent Theory, this study interviewed middle school assistant principals and school counselors to understand the middle school experience post-COVID-19 pandemic. SDT posits that if a person feels that their three basic needs are met (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), they are more likely to feel psychologically fulfilled. The semi-structured interviews captured insights into the social and academic issues they observed emerging post-COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon the key components of SDT, participants shared insights into areas affecting the sense of belonging. The three major themes: (a) Recovering Connection and Well-Being in the Wake of Social Isolation, (b) The Digital Shift and Its Influence on Student Engagement and Motivation, and (c) Cultivating a Support System for Student Resilience and Belonging addressed the academic and social issues which emerged post-COVID-19 pandemic. Participants observed students lacking social skills, describing it as "social atrophying," attributing it to overuse of technology during school closures and upon the return to the school environment. This study also illuminated how the distribution of devices during the pandemic has resulted in an overreliance on technology, affecting autonomy, competence, sense of belonging, and motivation. Participants also highlighted how important it is for students to feel like they have a trusted adult in school, noting that when schools shut down, students lose access to an integral relationship. Finally, this interpretive qualitative study identified the importance of rebuilding a sense of belonging in schools, with nearly every participant sharing information about a new program, new club or activity, or district initiative initiated post-COVID-19 pandemic. This study's findings emphasize the need to prioritize supporting young adolescents through intentional programming and social and academic interventions to best support young adolescents' sense of belonging.
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE CHAIR(S):
Dr. Kenneth Mitchell
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBER(S):
Dr. Martin Fitzgerald
Dr. Brian Culot
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