Unforgetting Belonging: Rethinking Identity, Language, and Adolescent Loneliness in Global Middle Schools

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division G - Section 2: Differences and Intersectionalities Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

This study examines how national identity and minority language speaking influence middle school students’ sense of belonging, contextualized within the global adolescent loneliness epidemic. Drawing on identity development theory and leveraging data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), the research employs quantitative methods to analyze relationships among national identity, minority language status, and belonging. Results show no significant correlation between identity markers and belonging and a marked decline in belonging from 2019 to 2023. These findings challenge deficit-based, single-factor interventions and call for multi-faceted, historically informed approaches to fostering belonging in diverse educational settings. The study offers implications for educators and policymakers seeking to build inclusive environments and reimagine futures where all students thrive.

Authors

• Lori Nolte, Wilkes University

• Jin Joy Mao, Wilkes University