The Power of ‘School Belonging’
School belonging, also known as school connectedness, is like being part of a club where you feel good about school, like your teachers, and know you matter socially. Previous research shows it’s a mental health booster right off the bat. This sense of school connectedness isn’t just about warm fuzzies; it’s tied to some serious perks. Research suggests that students who experience school belonging tend to crush it academically, have healthier minds, and feel more connected socially during their teen years. School belonging acts like a shield against the dark forces of anxiety and depression. It’s like having a built-in defense system against the blues. In fact, the OECD has even flagged belonging as a game-changer in education to tackle loneliness and mental health woes based on the latest PISA data.
But here’s the kicker: The true power of school belonging might extend beyond graduation. Think of it as a mental health vaccine that protects you well into adulthood.
What about down the road? This study, hot off the press, dove into the Aussie Temperament Project (ATP)—a mega study tracking folks from babyhood to adulthood. They used a questionnaire to measure how connected teens felt in high school and then checked in on their mental health symptoms as young adults from age 19 right through until they were 28.
The results? The more teens felt they belonged in their school environment, the fewer mental health issues they had a decade down the road. School belonging is like getting a vaccine for depression, anxiety, and stress straight from the halls of high school.
That’s the science. Now for the practice.
How do we help kids feel like they belong at school?
Kids are more likely to thrive when:
- They feel like they have a strong connection with their teacher.
- They feel like they are able to be with a friend in class.
- They feel as though they have a reason for being at school – like they can see their future there.
When you’re dealing with a child who doesn’t want to be at school, the implications are shabby for the here and now and all the way down the track. Work with the school to find ways to support healthy relationships. Get on the same team as the teachers. And develop approaches that support your kids to feel a part of the school however you can.
Responses