Perceived School Experiences and Creative Self-Concept Among Young Adults: A Retrospective Study
Abstract: This study examined whether young adults' retrospective perceptions of their school climate were associated with their creative self-efficacy (CSE), creative personal identity (CPI), and current creative engagement (CCE). In a cross-sectional retrospective online survey, 75 young adults aged 18-25, recruited through voluntary and snowball sampling, rated their remembered school climate on a 12-item researcher-developed questionnaire and completed CSE and CPI items adapted from or informed by the Short Scale of Creative Self, three researcher-developed CCE items and two open-ended questions. A more rigid or less supportive remembered school climate was associated with lower CPI (r = -.33, p = .004). The association with CSE was negative but not statistically significant (r = -.21, p = .067), and the association with CCE was weak and not significant (r = -.11, p = .331). Thematic analysis identified six themes, including encouragement, conformity, social-emotional barriers, and creativity developing beyond school. The findings are correlational, come from a small non-random sample using measures that need further validation, and do not establish causation.
Keywords: school climate, creative self-efficacy, creative personal identity, retrospective study, young adults
How to Cite?: Tamanna Jirawala, "Perceived School Experiences and Creative Self-Concept Among Young Adults: A Retrospective Study", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2150-2153, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261030234522, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261030234522