The role of participation, teachers and peers in grades 6–9: A cross-sectional questionnaire study of factors associated with pupils’ positive health in Swedish schools

• The influence of the school environment on pupils’ health has more often been described in terms of health problems than health. From a perspective of health promotion and salutogenesis, schools have opportunities to create supportive environments for health. From this point of departure there is a need for more knowledge about positive health determinants in the school setting. The aim of this study was to analyze adolescents’ self-reported positive health and its association with supportive factors in the school environment. Data were derived from a cross-sectional study in which pupils aged 12–16 completed a questionnaire during school hours (n= 1527). The response rate was 80%). A new positive health scale was used to examine the association with the following determinants: classroom participation, school-related support, peer support, parent support and socioeconomic status. Data were analyzed with chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regression. The results showed that positive health, participation and support from teachers and parents were more common among boys than girls. All determinants except support with homework from the school were significantly associated with pupils’ positive health. The conclusion is that schools have a great potential to enable pupils’ health. The association between support from teachers and peers and participation is a major concern for pupils’ health and it is essential develop these aspects in the school environment.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

adolescents; logistic regression; PHS; positive health; self-reported

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)