Well-Being in Educational Contexts: Social–Psychological Perspectives and Innovations

Dear Colleagues,

The promotion of well-being in educational settings and organizations has become a central topic in the scientific literature and among practitioners. Creating a supportive and empowering environment for teachers, students, and educational staff requires understanding and addressing the complex interplay of the social–psychological and pedagogical processes that shape organizational dynamics. Fostering well-being within educational contexts involves, among other factors, a deep understanding of the role of psychological characteristics—such as beliefs, orientations, emotions, and moral judgments—and of interpersonal and socio-cultural dynamics, including shared values, leadership, and social power. These factors can promote positive behaviors such as support, empowerment, engagement, collaboration, reflective practices, active learning, and nurturing relationships. Building an organizational culture that supports a sense of belonging, purpose, and mutual respect in educational settings can enrich learning processes. By enhancing the well-being of educators and organizational stakeholders, we can cultivate an environment conducive to motivation, resilience, and sustainable engagement with educational goals.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present both conceptual and empirical contributions that advance our understanding of organizational well-being across diverse educational contexts. Submissions may include analyses of social–psychological factors related to well-being in educational contexts, cross-cultural analyses, discussions of ethical principles in educational well-being, and examinations of how organizational practices can mitigate stress and burnout, support teachers’ mental health, and improve engagement. This Issue also seeks to inform policies, pedagogical strategies, and intervention programs that enhance the organizational health of learning environments, promoting well-being for all participants across educational levels—from primary and secondary education to higher education, adult learning settings, and learning practices in work organizations. 

We welcome original research articles and reviews for this Special Issue. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following areas: 

• Antecedents and consequences of sustainable development in educational contexts;
• Motivation and learning;
• Ethics, values, and moral principles in education, with a focus on inclusiveness;
• Reducing prejudice and discrimination to enhance well-being in educational contexts;
• Well-being of teachers, students, and educational practitioners;
• Beliefs, personal orientations, and personality factors that promote well-being in educational organizations;
• Socio-psychological factors contributing to discrimination and inequalities among adults and young adults, with a focus on educational settings;
• Leadership, power dynamics, and management practices related to well-being in educational contexts;
• The role of emotions in fostering sustainable learning environments;
• Motivation and effective learning;
• Cross-cultural perspectives on the well-being of educational settings;
• Social justice and equity in education as drivers of positive behaviors;
• Experiential learning and outdoor education for environmental awareness;
• Assessment and evaluation practices to support well-being in educational settings. 

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Alessio Tesi
Dr. Andrea Baroncelli
Dr. Maria Ermelinda de Carlo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• organizational culture
• social inclusion
• caring behaviors
• equity in education
• organizational well-being
• empowerment
• continuous learning
• educational innovations
• leadership and processes in education