Authors

• Konu, Anne (University of Tampere. Tampere School of Public Health)

Keywords

bullying, educational facilities, health, parental encouragement, peer-group relationships, satisfaction, school classes, school-student relationship, schools, secondary schools, social networks, students, teacher-student relationship

Abstract

The survey focused on school well-being in upper secondary institutions in Finland, studying student opinions on school facilities, the learning environment, social relationships in school, and means for self-fulfilment in school, as well as the students' perceived health status. The survey contained both statements and multiple choice questions. The respondents indicated to what extent they agreed with the statements using a five-point scale (i.e. from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree").

School facilities were studied with a number of questions about the classroom (e.g. size, temperature, ventilation, desks), toilet facilities, the dining room, the schoolyard and the school building (e.g. safety, functionality). Access to and trust in the school nurse and the school welfare officer were charted as well as opinions on the school timetable, order in the classroom, school rules and punishments and the amount of school work. The statements relating to social relationships canvassed student-student relationships (e.g. classmate support, being accepted by others) and teacher-student relationships (e.g. fairness and friendliness of teachers). Parental attitudes to homework and school were studied. Views on the learning environment were probed with questions on help and encouragement received from teachers and classmates, group work in the classroom, and the fairness of teachers. The students also assessed whether their parents appreciated their school work and helped them with study-related issues if needed. In addition, the respondents were asked whether they had been bullied at school during the ongoing term and whether they themselves had bullied someone else.

The statements on self-fulfilment explored different aspects of school work. Opinions on whether student opinions were taken into account in developing the school and in drawing up school rules (school democracy), and whether teachers encouraged students to express their views were charted. Views were probed on whether the respondents appreciated their school work, whether they had found a study method that suited them, and whether they had a chance to receive remedial teaching if needed. Regarding health, the respondents were asked about their perceived general health and whether they had had various symptoms (e.g. stomach ache, sleeping problems, headache, fear, anxiety) during the ongoing term.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, year of study, and group id.