The Impact of Parents' Participation in School Activities on Primary School Students' Life Satisfaction in Suzhou, China

Abstract

This study explores the impact of parents’ participation in school activities on the life satisfaction of primary school students in Suzhou, China. Using qualitative methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 students from diverse family and school backgrounds. The findings indicate that parental involvement—such as attending school events, assisting with classroom activities, and engaging in school-home communication—significantly enhances students’ emotional well-being, academic motivation, and social connectedness. Students whose parents actively participated expressed a stronger sense of pride, security, and belonging. In contrast, students who experienced limited parental engagement reported feelings of exclusion, disappointment, and lower life satisfaction. The study highlights the mediating role of school culture and event type in shaping students’ perceptions of parental involvement. These insights underscore the importance of fostering inclusive parent-school partnerships and designing accessible participation opportunities to support children's holistic development and happiness. The findings also contribute to the growing body of literature on parental involvement in the Chinese educational context, offering implications for policy and practice.