Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of student-centered learning, self-esteem and happiness and develop a causal relationship model of the happiness for nursing science students.A sample consisted of 489 nursing science students of Baromarajonani College of Nursing Sawanpacharak Nokornsawan, in the 2012 academic year, which was selected by purposive sampling method. The data were collected by student-centered learning scale, self-esteem scale, and happiness scale. Descriptive statisticswere generated using SPSS and causal relationship model analysis involved the use of LISREL.The result showed that the causal relationship model was consistent with empirical data: Chisquare
of goodness of fit = 28.19, df = 25, p = 0.29, GFI = 0.99, AGFI = 0.99, CFI = 1.00, RMR = 0.00, SRMR = 0.00, RMSEA = 0.01 and the effectiveness of student-centered learning, self-esteem, and happiness were at a high level. The variable in the model accounted for 89% of the variance of happiness. Variables having a statistically significant direct effect in a positive manner on happiness were student-centered learning and self-esteem. The variables with statistically significant indirect effect in a positive manner on happiness were student-centered learning effecting through self-esteem.