Factors Affecting Students’ Happiness on Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Self Determination Theory Approach

Abstract

Happiness is a debatable abstract concept as it is a term without any exact or precise way of measurement and evaluation and the current COVID-19 pandemic has affected the students with their happiness leading to a decrease in learning. The present study aimed to determine the factors that affect the students’ happiness during online learning brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. 622 senior high school students who underwent online learning were given a questionnaire composed of 45 questions grouped into 10 factors under autonomy, competence, and relatedness that were based on the self-determination theory. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized in this research to determine the causal relationships between latent variables construct. SEM showed that autonomy was the most significant factor to students’ happiness because students can cope with the current COVID-19 pandemic. The second variable was relatedness because continuous communication and support are evident among respondents. Lastly, competence was found to be a negative predictor because students are knowledgeable when it comes to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the first study that utilized the self-determination theory approach in the happiness context during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study can provide areas for better innovation in online learning given that there is no definite timeline for this pandemic. Moreover, the education sector may take into consideration students’ autonomy and relatedness to help increase happiness leading to satisfaction and continue online learning despite the COVID-19 pandemic.