Multiple Influences on Changing the Health Culture of a School

• In Event: Health in Schools and Preservice Programs

Abstract

It was the purpose of this study to investigate teachers’ perspectives on change forces that influenced their involvement in a healthy school initiative. A survey was administered to participating teachers (N=77) and 30 of the teachers were interviewed. The survey was based on Lohrman’s (2010) school health ecology model (individual, interpersonal, community, organization, and policy factors). Category means were calculated for the survey data and interview data were analyzed via constant comparison. Results showed that all survey categories ranked 3.5 or higher on a 5 point scale. Interview data provided specific themes related to the ecological factors supporting the model as well as insights into teachers’ positive perceptions and challenges faced during their involvement in a healthy school initiative.

Authors

• Pamela H. Kulinna, Arizona State University

• Donetta J. Cothran, Indiana University

• Tiffany Ann Kloeppel, Montclair State University