mental fitness and assessing positive mental health in school settings: findings from prince edward...
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Mental Fitness and Assessing Positive Mental Health in School Settings:
Findings from Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick
J. MacDonald, PhD; D. Murnaghan, PhD; M. Munro-Bernard, MA; C. Laurence, MA
Comprehensive School Health Research GroupUniversity of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, PE
AcknowledgementsProject PI: Donna Murnaghan, RN, PhD
New Brunswick Student Wellness Survey:Dr. Bill Morrison, PhD (PI) (Health and Education Research Group, UNB)
Project Funders:PEI Dept. of Education and Early Childhood Development PEI Dept. of Health and Wellness (SHAPES-PEI)Health Canada (Youth Smoking Survey)
Project Partners:PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood DevelopmentPropel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo
Presentation Objectives• To describe mental fitness as a unique measure
of positive mental health among youth;• To examine predictors of mental fitness and its
three components (autonomy, competence and relatedness), particularly in school settings;
• To discuss the value of mental fitness to youth health assessment in a variety of settings and jurisdictions.
What is Mental Fitness?
Mental fitness - one’s personal sense of psychological wellness, or social and emotional well-being, fostered in environments and relationships that address three interrelated psychological needs: Autonomy - “I am able to make choices about things that are important to me.”Relatedness - “I feel included, supported and encouraged by others.”Competence - “I have strengths and gifts that are recognized by myself and others.”
Background:School Health Action Planning Evaluation
System – Prince Edward Island (SHAPES-PEI)• A comprehensive system of data collection and knowledge exchange
• A school based, province-wide, biennial survey of youth health behaviours– 2008-09; 2010-11; 2012-13– Students from grades 5-12– physical activity, healthy eating, mental fitness, and tobacco use modules
• The SHAPES survey (provincial) and the Youth Smoking Survey (national)• Aims:
- Establish a local system to measure and monitor youth health in PEI - Provide evidence to support policy and program planning- Inform action at multiple levels, i.e. schools/school boards/government
Background: NB Student Wellness Survey
• A comprehensive system of data collection and knowledge exchange that is highly integrated into the New Brunswick Provincial Wellness Strategy.
• A school based, province-wide survey of youth health behaviours– 2006-07; 2009-2010; 2012-2013– Students from grades 6 - 12– physical activity, healthy eating, mental fitness, and tobacco use modules• Goals:
- Monitor the lifestyle behaviours of NB students: healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco-free living, and mental fitness.- Engage educators, students, families and the communities in planning strategic actions using local, district & provincial level data.- Maintain commitment to student wellness.
Current Research• Relatively new concept and therefore, little is
known about mental fitness and its implications for student health.
• SHAPES-PEI and NB Student Wellness Survey provide opportunities to explore relationships between mental fitness and student health.
• Better understanding of mental fitness allows for improved policies and interventions.
Methods
The mental fitness questionnaire of SHAPES-PEI (2008-2009) and the NB Student Wellness Survey (2006-2007)
Data from grade 7-12 students in Prince Edward Island (N=3,318) and New Brunswick (N=7,314)
Four linear regression models were conducted to examine student characteristics associated with mental fitness and its components: autonomy, competence, and relatedness
Mental Fitness
Autonomy
Relatedness
Competence
Implications of Findings• Policy development for student health• Program /curriculum development • Practice– Inter-professional collaboration among nurses,
teachers, school administrators, guidance counsellors, etc.
– Development of health and wellness promotion projects
– Engagement with parents and broader community
Summary of ResultsPositive, significant relationships found between
positive affect and prosocial behaviours and overall mental fitness
Negative, significant associations found between negative affect, anti-social behaviours and tried smoking and overall mental fitness.
Findings were similar for NB and PEI: Significant relationships between: school connectedness, affect, prosocial/anti-social behaviour and mental
fitness and each of its 3 components. sex and grade and mental fitness and each of its 3 components.
Conclusions First study to examine mental fitness in adolescents across two
provincial jurisdictions. Mental fitness and its components associated with a variety of
individual and environmental (school-level) factors. By identifying core parameters for mental fitness, we can
improve population health assessments and better address students’ needs through appropriate programs and policies.
Findings from this novel study, although preliminary, point to the need to advance school-based programming to explore the concept of mental fitness more fully, and to include mental fitness assessments and integration of policies and programs that address mental fitness for adolescents.
Thank You!
Dr. Jo-Ann MacDonald, Co-Principal InvestigatorComprehensive School Health Research Group
University of Prince Edward IslandCharlottetown, PE
(902) [email protected]
www.upei.ca/cshr/