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Social and ecological structures supporting adolescent connectedness to school: a theoretical model
Stacey K Waters1, Donna S Cross, Kevin Runions
1Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia. s.waters@ecu.edu.au
The Journal of School Health
|October 21, 2009
Summary
Student connectedness to school supports adolescent well-being by fostering autonomy and competence. Understanding school ecology is key to promoting this vital connection for better health and academic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Development
- School Health Promotion
- Ecological Psychology
Background:
- Adolescence presents unique health, social, and academic challenges.
- Student connectedness to school is crucial for navigating these challenges.
- Limited understanding exists regarding school characteristics that foster connectedness and the mechanisms involved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on school connectedness.
- To integrate health promotion, adolescent development, and ecological frameworks.
- To describe how school context fosters student connectedness.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search and review of scholarly articles.
- Summarization of retrieved articles.
- Development of a model for school ecology and its influence on connectedness.
Main Results:
- A school ecology model was developed.
- The model defines how school environments influence students' need for connection.
- Student connection positively impacts adolescent health and well-being.
Conclusions:
- Integrating developmental, ecological, and health promotion theories aids in identifying key school environmental factors.
- Interpersonal and organizational aspects of schools can satisfy needs for autonomy, competence, and connection.
- These factors contribute to improved adolescent health and well-being outcomes.
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