Exploring Preidcors of Academic Self-Concept and Social Connectedness in High School Students Impacted by the Cell Phone Ban in Nova Scotia
Date
2026-08
Authors
Bourque, Madyn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mount Saint Vincent University
Abstract
This study investigated how various aspects of personality – agreeableness, openness to experience, and resilient coping – promote academic and social success following the implementation of a province-wide cell phone ban in Nova Scotia public schools. Data were collected from 52 high school students through online surveys consisting of the ASCS, SCS-R, HEXACO-PI-R, and BRCS. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine that agreeableness, openness, and resilient coping collectively account for 16.3% of the variance in academic self-concept and 26.3% of the variance in social connectedness. Several significant correlations were found. Group differences in academic self-concept were identified between those in grade 11 and those in grade 12, and men and women. Post-hoc analyses were completed to examine differences in students with high and low academic self-concepts and social connectedness. Findings emphasize the protective nature of the identified traits for academic and social success during times of change in the learning environment. Implications for school psychologists include a more comprehensive understanding of how personality influences school success and well-being, and findings may inform support at all Tiers of the MTSS model. Longitudinal research that includes objective measures would add to our understanding of how personality promotes school success during times of change.