A student’s perspective How can the learning environment contribute to students’ sense of coping?

1. Presentation master thesis – 7th Nordic Health Promotion Research
Conference
Vestfold University College
Health Promotion Learning Environment -
A student’s perspective
How can the learning environment contribute to students’ sense of coping?
Marit Andersen
PPT (pedagogical and psychological counselling service), Horten municipality
e-mail: maritand@gmail.com
Co-author: Grete Eide Rønningen, Associated professor, Vestfold University Cogllege

2. Background
• All students are entitled to a good physical and
psychosocial environment conducive to health, well-
being and learning.
• The Education Act of 17th July 1998, Chapter 9a
• School is an important setting for health promotion
• It is a natural setting where the young people spend the majority of their
time
• Important for their academic, social and personal development

3. Purpose
• To increase the knowledge of what students themselves
highlights as important for their sense of coherence and
coping at school
• To increase the knowledge of how schools can facilitate an
learning environment that promotes a sense of coherence
and a framework that promotes good health

4. Theoretical framework
• The Salutogenic approach
• Antonovskys theory – sense of coherence (SOC)
• Comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness
• Coping
• Contextual, social and emotional factors
• Social support
• The quality of the relationship
• Participation
• Provides the basis of the meaningfulness component

5. Methodology
• Qualitative method
• Five focus groups
• 31 students of in the age 11-12 years – collected from one school
with a population of 66 students in grade 7
Focus group Class Boys Girls Absence
Focus gr. 1 X 5 2 0
Focus gr. 2 Y 4 2 0
Focus gr. 3 Y 3 3 0
Focus gr. 4 Z 3 2 2
Focus gr. 5 Z 5 2 0

6. Empirical data

7. Empirical data - Categories
‘
Connectedness – Support - Participation
They wanted to amount to something in life
Experience school as meaningful

8. Participation
Support
Connectedness
Conclusion
Coping
SOC
Engagement
Motivation
Meaningfulness
Health promoting learning Environment
Relationships

9. Thank you!