This study aims at examining strictly effects of variables influencing on middle schoolers'
character through a hierarchical analysis based on a differentiated level of students and a
school.
Character was classified into three specific elements of morality, sociality and self-esteem,
and analysis was done using variables of a school level including teacher's attitude in
addition to those of a student level as influencing factors on each element.
As for the analysis, it used 'Actual Status and the Quality of School Education' by KEDI,
particularly 2010 middle school data. Also, as for the research method, Hierarchical Linear
Model(HLM) was applied by dividing students and schools into 2 levels and inputting them
as an independent variable.
As for influencing factors on middle schoolers' character, on a level of students, research
findings showed that higher academic background of father, intrinsic learning motivation,
parents' support for their child, and better parent-child relationship have a positive effect on
the character. Extrinsic learning motivation and stress from entrance exams had a negative
effect on the character. Inspected by detail element of character, it showed no statistically
significant effect of academic background of father on morality, stress from entrance exams
on sociality and family income on self-esteem.
On a level of a school, it showed that teacher's attitude to attach importance to the
character has a positive effect on students' character. Inspected by detail element of
character, it revealed that teacher's attitude to attach importance to the character has a
positive effect on students' morality and sociality, and such an attitude of a principal to lay
stress on studies has a negative effect on students' sociality. Besides, it showed that the
higher teacher's guidance efficacy is, the more positive effect it has on students' self-esteem.