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FrancoAngeli Journals

Articles/Articoli

No. 2 (2025)

Storytelling, cooperation and life design in secondary school: Pathways to promote Life Projects, wellbeing and inclusion

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/ess2-2025oa21096
Submitted
settembre 23, 2025
Published
2025-12-11

Abstract

Storytelling, cooperation and life design in secondary school: paths to promoting Life Projects, wellbeing and inclusion. The concept of Life Design is becoming increasingly important in educational contexts, particularly in lower secondary school, a stage in which students begin to build their identity, aspirations and socio-emotional skills. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-10-week educational programme based on narrative education, life design and cooperative activities, aimed at enhancing self-determination, school engagement, subjective well-being and an inclusive classroom climate. The research, conducted using a mixed methods approach in a school in Naples, involved approximately 100 students (aged 11-14), including pupils with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD). Standardised quantitative tools (KIDSCREEN-10, BPNSFS, SEM, LCQ) and qualitative tools (narrative interviews, teachers' reflective diaries) were used. The results show a significant increase in scores relating to well-being, engagement and satisfaction of basic psychological needs, accompanied by narratives that testify to greater self-awareness, a strengthened sense of belonging and greater mutual recognition. The study demonstrates how the integration of narrative and cooperative practices can promote the development of the Life Project and improve the quality of school life, with particularly positive effects on students with SLDs.

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