Teacher, Parent, and Student Perceptions of Adolescent Health-Related Needs.

N

25

Adolescents; At Risk Persons; Child Health; Drinking; Foreign Countries; Health Education; Health Programs; Health Promotion; Parent Attitudes; School Role; Secondary Education; Secondary School Students; Smoking; Student Attitudes; Student Behavior; Student Needs; Teacher Attitudes

Recognizing that education and health have become inextricably intertwined, some researchers recommend that educators address emotional and physical health, cognitive performance, and educational achievement in a comprehensive program. This approach, known as Comprehensive School Health (CSH), calls for a student-centered emphasis which focuses on promoting a healthy life style. The study addresses two related questions: (1) What are the most important health-related needs expressed by students? and (2) HOw closely do adolescent and adult perceptions of adolescent needs match up? Researchers surveyed students, parents, and teachers who participated in a 3-year study on the implementation and development of a CSH program. While students in each school identified divergent needs, the teachers' and parents' perceptions of adolescent health-related needs neatly corresponded across all three schools in this study. Agreement at the general needs level on the importance of skills for coping with problems and dealing with family relationships suggests these are areas that could benefit from program development efforts. Further, it is evident that improving skills for dealing with problems in these areas would also enhance school performance. However, adults engaged in program development should exercise caution when making inferences about student needs. (RJM)

1995

ED377410