Tekijät

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

Asiasanat

bullying, educational institutions, health, peer-group relationships, satisfaction, school-student relationship, schoolchildren, schools, social networks, teacher-student relationship, upper secondary schools

Sisällön kuvaus

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").

Facilities in the educational institution were studied with a number of questions about the classrooms (e.g. size, temperature, ventilation, desks), toilet facilities, the dining room, the yard and the building (e.g. safety, functionality). Access to the school nurse and the school welfare officer were charted as well as opinions on the study timetable, order in the class, rules and punishments, and the amount of studying. 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). The respondents were asked whether they had been bullied at school during the ongoing term and whether they themselves had bullied someone else. The students assessed whether their family appreciated their school work, whether their family motivated them for better performance in studies, and whether their family helped them with study-related issues.

The statements on self-fulfilment explored different aspects of school work. Opinions were charted 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. Views were probed on whether the respondents appreciated their studies, whether school work was easy for them, whether they had found a study method that suited them, and whether they had a chance to receive remedial teaching or other support 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, grade, and class id.