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Is school participation good for children? Associations with health and wellbeing

Aingeal de Róiste (Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland)
Colette Kelly (Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland)
Michal Molcho (Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland)
Aoife Gavin (Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland)
Saoirse Nic Gabhainn (Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland)

Health Education

ISSN: 0965-4283

Article publication date: 17 February 2012

3585

Abstract

Purpose

There is increasing recognition of children's abilities to speak for themselves. School democracy, as demonstrated by genuine participation, has the potential to benefit both teachers and students; leading to better relationships and improved learning experiences. The aim of this study is to investigate whether participation in schools in Ireland is linked with perceived academic performance, liking school and positive health perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via self‐completion questionnaires from a stratified random sample of 10,334 students aged 10‐17 years in Irish schools. The questions included encouragement to express their views in class, participation in the organisation of school events; taking part in making school rules; liking school, perceived academic performance, self‐rated health, life satisfaction and self‐reported happiness. Associations between school participation and other measures were expressed by odds ratios from logistic regression models, conducted separately for girls and boys.

Findings

More than 63 per cent of participating students reported that they were encouraged to express their views in class, 58 per cent that they were involved in organising school events and 22 per cent that they had been involved in making school rules. All forms of participation were lower among older students. Participation in school was significantly associated with liking school and higher perceived academic performance, better self‐rated health, higher life satisfaction and greater reported happiness.

Research limitations/implications

These data are all cross‐sectional and relationships cannot imply causality.

Practical implications

These findings underscore the relevance of school participation for students in Ireland.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates that, in general, positive relationships between school participation and health and wellbeing are demonstrated among Irish children.

Keywords

Citation

de Róiste, A., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., Gavin, A. and Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012), "Is school participation good for children? Associations with health and wellbeing", Health Education, Vol. 112 No. 2, pp. 88-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654281211203394

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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