Seasonality in School Well-being: The Case of Finland

Seasonal changes in mood and behavior have been reported among general population as well as among adolescents in the Northern hemisphere. The aim of the current study was to examine how the level of school well-being varies during the school year and how the seasonal effect shows on seventh, eighth and ninth grades. The data consisted of all lower secondary schools who used the theory based School Well-being Profile questionnaire during the school years 2007–2009 (N = 10,913) in Finland. Pupils perceived their well-being highest in three well-being categories (school conditions, social relationships, means for self-fulfilment) during the period lasting from middle of October until end of December. Health status was perceived lowest from the middle of March to the end of May. The level of well-being was highest among seventh graders and lowest among ninth graders. Pedagogical planning and health promotion interventions should be planned to strengthen the well-being of pupils especially at the end of the school year.

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