Sense of Belonging

Relationships

The Power of Belonging: From Hello to Help

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on April 26, 2025

I found my sense of belonging in an unlikely spot—a suburban rubbish bin.

I found my sense of belonging in an unlikely spot—a suburban rubbish bin.

Education

When School Feels Like Home

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on March 22, 2025

New research shows what truly matters for young children's belonging isn't classrooms or curriculum—it's relationships and feeling valued.

New research shows what truly matters for young children's belonging isn't classrooms or curriculum—it's relationships and feeling valued.

Adolescence

School Belonging Today, Better Substance Choices Tomorrow

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on March 6, 2025

A landmark study from the Australian Temperament Project reveals that school belonging in adolescence significantly influences substance use patterns into adulthood.

A landmark study from the Australian Temperament Project reveals that school belonging in adolescence significantly influences substance use patterns into adulthood.

Education

What's Going Right in Teaching?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on February 24, 2025

Recent research reveals a surprising bright spot in education: Eighty-five percent of teachers feel strong professional belonging. Our study shows how this belonging could be maintained.

Recent research reveals a surprising bright spot in education: Eighty-five percent of teachers feel strong professional belonging. Our study shows how this belonging could be maintained.

Positive Psychology

Could Technology Be Your Next Positive Psychology Coach?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 24, 2024

Jibo, a social robot, was designed to use positive psychology to help boost college students' well-being. Did it succeed?

Jibo, a social robot, was designed to use positive psychology to help boost college students' well-being. Did it succeed?

Resilience

Can Stories Build Resilience in Children?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 22, 2024

Storytelling is a powerful tool to foster resilience in children by helping them process adversity, develop empathy, and build emotional strength.

Storytelling is a powerful tool to foster resilience in children by helping them process adversity, develop empathy, and build emotional strength.

Altruism

Being “There” for Others: What’s in It for You?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 20, 2024

Other-oriented approaches and prosocial behaviors can offer mutual benefits, improving a person's well-being and life satisfaction. Here's how it works.

Other-oriented approaches and prosocial behaviors can offer mutual benefits, improving a person's well-being and life satisfaction. Here's how it works.

Gratitude

How to Practice Gratitude the Right Way

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 18, 2024

Gratitude boosts mental health by reducing stress and fostering positivity. What a gratitude practice looks like, and whether it's helpful to you, can depend on these key factors.

Gratitude boosts mental health by reducing stress and fostering positivity. What a gratitude practice looks like, and whether it's helpful to you, can depend on these key factors.

Education

PISA 2022 Results for Students Sense of Belonging at School

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on December 6, 2023

Pivotal insights on school belonging from PISA 2022.

Pivotal insights on school belonging from PISA 2022.

Cognition

What "Belonging" Means Around the Globe

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on July 7, 2023

While the word "belonging" may vary across multiple languages and interpretations may vary, our need for it remains universal.

While the word "belonging" may vary across multiple languages and interpretations may vary, our need for it remains universal.

Education

Measuring School Belonging

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on July 4, 2023

More schools are measuring belonging. Interpretation of school belonging results should acknowledge individuality and needs.

More schools are measuring belonging. Interpretation of school belonging results should acknowledge individuality and needs.

Artificial Intelligence

Voices from Beyond: How AI Could Offer a Path to Immortality

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on June 24, 2023

A Personal Perspective: What are the ethical complexities of having your loved one live on digitally?

A Personal Perspective: What are the ethical complexities of having your loved one live on digitally?

Parenting

Planting the Seeds of Belonging for Parents

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on June 21, 2023

This article explores the pivotal role of belonging in educational settings, with a focus on often overlooked stakeholders—parents.

This article explores the pivotal role of belonging in educational settings, with a focus on often overlooked stakeholders—parents.

Imposter Syndrome

Maintaining Our Sense of Belonging in Writing and Research

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 10, 2022

Belonging researchers will tell you that belonging is a fundamental human need, but how do we maintain belonging in academia when rejection and criticism are fierce?

Belonging researchers will tell you that belonging is a fundamental human need, but how do we maintain belonging in academia when rejection and criticism are fierce?

Friends

What Does Food Have to Do With Belonging and Schools?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

The relationship between food and belonging is complex, leading us to ask whether it is the rituals and traditions that surround food rather than the food itself that are important.

The relationship between food and belonging is complex, leading us to ask whether it is the rituals and traditions that surround food rather than the food itself that are important.

Health

A Deep Dive Into the Benefits of School Belonging

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on February 9, 2022

Every educator knows that a sense of belonging is important, but the true extent of the benefits can be hard to capture. Here's a look at some of them.

Every educator knows that a sense of belonging is important, but the true extent of the benefits can be hard to capture. Here's a look at some of them.

Self-Esteem

The Science Behind Our Need to Belong

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on February 3, 2022

Two of the world's leading authorities on the topic clarify underlying assumptions and trends about belonging.

Two of the world's leading authorities on the topic clarify underlying assumptions and trends about belonging.

Loneliness

Do Schools Need a Policy on School Belonging?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on February 3, 2022

Every school should have a school belonging policy. Focusing on these key areas could help them get started.

Every school should have a school belonging policy. Focusing on these key areas could help them get started.

Relationships

The Power of Relationships in Schools

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on January 28, 2022

How can we help students harness the many benefits associated with having positive relationships at school?

How can we help students harness the many benefits associated with having positive relationships at school?

Relationships

The Science of School Belonging

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on January 22, 2022

Schools must prioritize children's need for belonging. They can do so by putting decades of research into practice.

Schools must prioritize children's need for belonging. They can do so by putting decades of research into practice.