Factors affecting hopelessness levels of Turkish preteenagers attending primary school: A structural equation model

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the factors affecting hopelessness about the future of 10-12-year-old Turkish primary school students. Firstly, descriptive factor analysis was applied in order to determine the factors affecting hopelessness levels, then a structural equation model (SEM) was utilized to describe the relationship between the specified factors and hopelessness; these relationships were tested by LISREL 8.54. The results indicated that the preteenagers' level of hopelessness was adversely affected by support received from parents and friends. The hopelessness level was also significantly affected by the preteenagers' positive self-definition and parents' educational level.